Harvest Date October 13 Barrel Aging 17 months French oak (60% new oak) Varietal Composition Syrah 100% Final Analysis Alcohol by Volume 15% TA .70 PH 3.78 Total Production 410 cases Vineyard Overview 6 acres Planted in 1997 Santa Ynez Valley (estate) Canopy Management Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) Clonal Selection Syrah Noir (opulent palate, exceptional concentration) Rootstock 5C Soil Profile Sandy loam with moderate limestone aggregate

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TASTING NOTES

Our 2001 Syrah from Crossroads Vineyard begins with a vivid bouquet of dark fruits, violets and vanilla with exotic accents of Chinese spice. The vineyard’s signature is evident in ripe, concentrated flavors of blackberry and blueberry that cascade across a supple, velvety texture. Notes of minerals, toasty oak and dark chocolate bring complexity to the palate, while firm, silky tannins glide across a rich, expansive finish. This wine is an authentic expression of its terroir and vintage.

WINEMAKING NOTES

-Hand picked on October 13 after excellent, evenly paced growing season.
-Four-day cold soak prior to fermentation to lock in the wine’s color and capture the vineyard’s pure fruit profile.
-Inocoulated with D254 yeast, a strain isolated and propagated in the Rhône Valley, and employed specifically for enhancing mouthfeel and overall richness.
-Pressed directly to barrels from traditional basket press to ensure gentle extraction.
-Similar winemaking methods applied to all Curtis vineyard-designated Syrahs to contrast and amplify vineyard expression.

VINEYARD NOTES BY WINEMAKER CHUCK CARLSON

“From the start, I intended for Crossroads Vineyard to yield our most opulent and exotic Syrahs. Its valley floor microclimate and balanced soils are optimal for generating exceptional depth and concentration. The sandy loam soils are little richer than our estate Ambassador’s Vineyard, with less limestone aggregate. I chose to plant Crossroads Vineyard to 5C rootstock, which limits vigor. This rootstock also complements my choice of the Syrah Noir clone at this site. This clone is a perfect match for the soils and altitude of the vineyard, yielding a sensual palate, exceptional concentration and that special element of the exotic.”

ABOUT CURTIS WINERY’S VINEYARD SERIES SYRAH PROGRAM

Winemaker Chuck Carlson, who has been making Rhône-style wines locally for 20 years, is passionate about Syrah and its ability to express the uniqueness and character of individual vineyards. His Vineyard Series Syrah program features limited-production bottlings from Ambassador’s Vineyard, Crossroads Vineyard and Vogelzang Vineyard. Each site is differentiated in elevation, soil type, trellising and clonal selection. The resulting wines capture the uniqueness, versatility and excellence of the Santa Ynez Valley as a premier appellation for world-class Syrahs.