
Philosophy
Our Sonoma Coast Syrah embodies our vision of this noble grape from some of the coolest, most challenging sites in the area. We are inspired by the great wines of the Northern Rhone and aim to express, as much as possible, the more floral and spicy side of the varietal, within the context of the highly diverse terroirs this region has to offer.
2006 Growing Season
The 2006 growing season was particularly challenging in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast appellations. Higher humidity during the summer months resulted in greater mildew pressure across both appellations, exacerbated by weather during harvest that provided perfect growing conditions for botrytis ("noble rot”) and other late season molds. Luckily Syrah is a relatively thick skinned variety with a very open cluster that allows the berries to dry out quickly after rains or the typical foggy morning. However, numerous, and costly, extra “thinning passes” were still the norm in most locations this year to ensure the area around the grape clusters had good air flow and that crop loads were properly balanced. The bottom line for Lynmar is that we came through a challenging harvest with excellent quality potential. Primary characteristics of the wines from 2006, in general, will be lower than average alcohols and bright natural acidity. This is a vintage that will play very well to Lynmar’s balanced, elegant, acid-driven house style.
Vineyards & Winemaking
Grove Vineyard, within a mile of the Russian River Valley boundary just southeast of Santa Rosa, once again provided the majority of fruit for this vintage - 56% of the blend is Grove Vineyard Syrah, with 1% Grove Vineyard Viognier for aromatic complexity. The remaining 43% was Syrah from Quail Hill Vineyard (25%) and Archer Vineyard (18%). This is the first vintage including our own estate Syrah from the recently acquired “Bliss Block” enclosed within Quail Hill Vineyard. Debuted last year in our Syrah, Archer is a site off of Starr Road in the heart of Russian River Valley. The terroir of Archer is slightly warmer with sandy loam soils, very different from Grove with its heavier soils and strong “Petaluma Wind Gap” climate profile. All fruit was hand-harvested early in the morning, transported to the winery while still cool, then hand-sorted before it was either de-stemmed or transferred directly, into small (2-5 ton) open-top fermenters. For this vintage 30% of the blend was “whole cluster” fermented to moderate extraction and provide aromatic freshness and lift. As with Pinot, fruit was cold-soaked 3-5 days at 50°F before fermentation. Fermentations were gently punched down by hand 1-3 times per day as needed. Total skin contact time ranged from 15-18 days depending on the lot. Skins from the drained tanks were gently basket pressed, with heavier press wine kept separate. After a short settling, the new wines were then barreled down where the secondary malolactic fermentation occurred over the next several months. One racking was performed, with aging on light lees until the final blend was assembled for bottling.
Tasting Notes
This beautiful wine is deep purple, with a pronounced violet rim, and clearly youthful. The lovely and complex nose of ash, bramble fruit, meat, and pepper evolves in the glass, but is concentrated and appealing from the start. The palate is highlighted by flavors of blackberry, plum, alongside more subtle smoky notes. The cedar-spice French oak is beautifully balanced by the red and dark fruit, good acidity, and fine-grained tannins. The finish is long and intense, and enjoyable now if you “like ‘em young”, but clearly reinforces the aromas and flavors with the potential to develop and improve over the next several years. This is a “real” wine that will complement many foods well yet will still be enjoyable on its own. Drink now and stock up if you like it as it should keep for up to 7-8 years, or through 2015-2016.
Varietal Composition :
99% Syrah, 1% Viognier
Winemaker:
Hugh Chappelle
pH/T.A.:
3.59/0.58g per l00 ml
Consulting Winemaker:
Paul Hobbs
Alcohol: 14.5%
Consulting Viticulturist:
Greg Adams
Aging : 18 mo. in 60 gal. French barrels (40% new)
Cases Produced :
437 (9L equiv.)
Bottling Date: March 15, 2006
Suggested Retail Price: $36
Other products in the category Wines:
2007 Jenkins Vineyard Pinot Noir -- Aromas truly leap from the glass and immediately captivate, with primary notes of cherry and raspberry, accented with both red and dark fruit elements. There is also is a deft touch of toasty oak which adds spice and complexity, but in no way competes wit
2006 Quail Hill Vineyard Chardonnay -- Appearance is bright yellow-green gold and leads into a complex nose of toast, peaches & cream, bread, acacia, and hazelnuts. The aromas are fresh and compelling with noticeable intensity and focus. The palate is full bodied and rich yet elegant
2006 Quail Hill Vineyard, Bliss Block Pinot Noir -- Our “Bliss Block” Pinot Noir is from a unique part of the estate and in one of the coolest pockets of the property. From the very beginning this vineyard block gave us wines of a highly distinctive and individualistic quality
2006 Quail Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir -- What we have in this wine is taut highly aromatic expression of our estate vineyard where elegance, balance, and structure are all seamlessly interwoven. The texture here is still youthfully firm but with a vibrant energy
Quail Hill Chardonnay Vertical -- 2004 - 2006 Quail Hill Vineyard Chardonnay
2004 Quail Hill Vineyard Chardonnay -- The flavors are complex and subtle, revealing bright key lime, verbena and Gravenstein apple notes, balanced by ginger, clove and a briny minerality.
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