2006 Syrah - Crossroads Vineyard
Santa Ynez Valley
Vineyard
Crossroads Vineyard
Harvest Date
November 1
Barrel Aging
18 months
French oak
(40% new)
Varietal Composition
Syrah 100%
Final Analysis
Alcohol by Volume 14.7%
TA .60
PH 3.69
Total Production
520 cases
Tasting Notes
"89 Points...Velvety" - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"Exceptional...A beautiful wine" -
BevX.com
"89 Points...Powerful" -
Wine Enthusiast
Gold Medal -
Critics Challenge Wine Competition
Our 2006 Syrah from Crossroads Vineyard offers leathery aromas of black fruit, dark chocolate and clove. The palate is deep and chewy with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cocoa and vanilla spice. Hints of cinnamon accompany smooth tannins on the finish.
Winemaker Chuck Carlson
Crossroads Vineyard
Our estate Crossroads Vineyard occupies an oak-studded nook adjacent to our winery in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Here, well-drained soils of sandy loam and limestone impart intensity and complexity to the fruit. The sheltered setting acts as a trap for afternoon warmth, which slowly yields to coastal breezes for optimal ripening of the grapes. We chose the Syrah Noir clone as the ideal match for this terrior, and it rewards us with a velvety wine with rich black fruit flavors and exotic spice nuances.Winemaking
The 2006 growing season was long and relatively cool, with
warm harvest weather coming just in time for optimal
ripeness. After gentle destemming, the must was cold soaked
for four days prior to fermentation for gentle extraction of
color and flavor. The wine was fermented in small open-top
tanks with two separate yeasts designed to create enhanced
mouthfeel and dimension. The pomace was lightly pressed in a
traditional wooden basket press for a soft, even extraction.
The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 40
percent of which featured new oak.
