The Vintage
2002 was particularly warm with an extended Indian Summer, allowing the fruit here in the Greater Yakima Valley to develop deep, ripe fruit flavors. Better Estates were rewarded with superb fruit, especially those who focused special attention on growing quality fruit, by keeping crop levels low (before 4 tons/acre) and monitoring water to control growth and vigor of the vines.
The Vineyard
One hundred percent of the Syrah came from our own Kestrel View Estate Vineyard, located north of Prosser, high on the Roza. As we have discovered, one of the best places on earth to grow grapes. This is a stand alone vineyard, and is acclaimed as one of Washington State's top Syrah vineyards. Washington State and especially the Yakima Valley seem to be ideally suited for growing Syrah, due to the long summer days that boast in excess of 16 hours of sunshine per day. Follow this with our extended autumns, providing warm days and cool nights, factors perfect for producing grapes with ripe fruit flavors and good acidities.
The Winemaking
The Syrah was hand picked on the 17th and 18th of October. It came in at 26 Brix and was destemmed and crushed, leaving 10 - 15% whole berry, to a fermenter. After pumping over the tank twice daily for 9 days it was pressed off, and allowed to finish primary fermentation, then inoculated for secondary fermentation. In December, after the fermentations were complete, it was racked into barrels, 30% new Eastern European and American oak. It was racked in the spring and again before bottling in September. It was lightly filtered enroute to the bottling line.
The Wine
The color is extremely dark purple. In the aroma you will find copious quantities of ripe plum, blackberries, huckleberries, black licorice, a light flavor of clove and luscious black sweet cherries. This is a full bodied wine with a lingering finish of black currant and berries. This is the wine you want to enjoy with friends and fine food.
| PH: | 3.49 |
| ALC: | 13.8% |
| RS: | 1g/liter |
| Blend: | 100% Kestrel View Estate Syrah |
| Cases: | 1,607 |
| Release Date: | December 2004 |