Sequoia Grove Syrah Napa Valley Stagecoach Vineyard 2004

Winemaker's Notes:

The grapes are manually harvested, carefully transported to the winery where there's a strict selection before crushing into small batch fermenters. Vineyard parcels are fermented separately to allow each lot to express its particular characteristics. The fruit undergoes a pre-fermentation "cold soak" for two days to concentrate color and extract subtle aromas and soft tannins. The must is inoculated with a yeast strain from Cote Rotie in the Rhone Valley in France to encourage consistent fermentation and a balanced . The juice undergoes cool fermentation with minimal pumpovers as the fruit is delicate. This also enhances flavors and aerates the must before the wine goes through malolactic fermentation to soften its structure. Aging in French oak barrels for 18 months rounds out aromas and flavors. This is a Rhone-wine made with French finesse and California structure. The grapes are from Stagecoach Vineyards in the eastern hills above Napa Valley. The vineyard is on a rocky, steep slope that faces southwest for maximum sun exposure. Inky red-black in color, this dense syrah has aromas of intense blueberry, currant and black cherry with hints of anise and black tea. The merlot adds a note of complexity in the nose and roundness in the mouth. On the palate the wine has a wonderful mid-palate plushness that balances perfectly with the firm tannins. - Reviews | Awards Inky red-black in color, this dense syrah has aromas of intense blueberry, currant and black cherry with hints of anise and black tea. The merlot adds a note of complexity in the nose and roundness in the mouth. On the palate the wine has a wonderful mid-palate plushness that balances perfectly with the firm tannins. The 2004 harvest was intense, concise and the earliest harvest ever for Sequoia Grove. The vines got off to a quick start with very hot weather in early March that didn't break until summer. The good weather continued through August, September and October which brought the fruit in a record-breaking two weeks early. Sequoia Grove has never picked before Labor Day...but we did this year. The crop size was also 30-40% lighter than normal, giving a big, bold, intense fruit. Months in barrel: 18 months Oak: 15% New French