2003 VENTANA SYRAH

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Syrah, when grown in a cool growing region such as Arroyo Seco, shows unique black-pepper qualities that can be lost in warmer regions. Our winemaking procedures enhance this varietals quality. We hand-select only the ripest clusters, de-stem and place them into open-top fermentors that allow some of the alcohol from the higher sugar grapes to vent off. The cap is hand-punched several times each day during initial fermentation. We wish to keep the alcohol no more than 13.5% to ensure the dark fruit and black pepper nose are the most prevalent components in the bouquet. Once open-top fermentation ceases, we transfer the wine to American Minnesotan tight grained oak for barrel ageing.

The Ventana Syrah shows a bright ruby-purple color. The bouquet is lively with fresh cracked black pepper and black cherry. On the palate, the wine is lush and full with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spice. The wine is well balanced having vanilla and cedar tones from American Oak barrel aging as an accompaniment to the fruit components.