1997 Los Carneros Syrah

Cline Cellars
TECHNICAL NOTES
1997 Los Carneros Syrah
HARVEST DATE: September 23 to 25
BRIX AT HARVEST: 25.1° to 25.6°
TOTAL ACIDITY: 0.61 g/100ml
FINAL PH: 3.58
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.145g/100ml
ALCOHOL: 14.0%
SUGGESTED RETAIL: $20

VINTAGE NOTES

The 1997 growing season could be described as one of the largest on record. Fortunately, a very warm summer tempered, in the Los Carneros district, by strong winds and a maritime cooling influence enabled this large crop to mature fully. Due to an extremely dry season, the 1997 vintage was one where judicious use of irrigation was needed. The last appreciable rain was in early January. Harvest at the Carneros ranch came relatively early, producing intense colors and powerfully flavored fruit in the reds.

VINEYARDS

Though only the fourth vintage from our 18 acre hillside vineyard in Sonoma's Los Carneros district, 1997 demonstrates the incredible synergy that Syrah has shown with this unique site. The chilly Los Carneros fogs and the steep, north-facing slope of hillside vineyard offer a particularly cool climate for ripening Syrah, lending the wines a pronounced, bright cherry and cracked pepper character. Well-drained, rocky loam soils force our vines to struggle and keep yields extremely low, further concentrating fruit character. We have been truly impressed with the quality and individuality of wine produced from this unique vineyard.

FERMENTATION AND AGING

In 1997 our hillside Syrah was among the last vineyards to be harvested. Grapes arrived at the crush pad in good condition--ripe and showing no signs of rot--and was de-leafed by hand before partial destemming and a very light crushing. After a 48 hour cold soak to extract flavor and color without harsh tannins, fermentation proceeded at moderate temperatures in stainless steel with a combination of cultured and indigenous yeasts. The cap was pumped over thrice daily, ensuring complete color saturation. Pressed off its skins at dryness, the 1997 was racked once before being laid down to a complement of small French and American oak cooperage--approximately 34% new American. After a 14 month barrel aging program and an additional month in tank before bottling has lent this wine a smooth, harmonious vanilla-tinged finish.

WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS

I am truly amazed at the affinity that Syrah has shown for the soils and microclimate of our Los Carneros ranch. Syrah is the grape that demonstrates its greatest potential for grandeur in the Northern Rhone appellations of Cote-Rotie and Hermitage. Syrah exhibits many of the same brilliant fruit and smokey/tarry characteristics, here, in Carneros. The steep northerly slope of our hillside vineyard seems to help bring forward the fresh cracked pepper and berry notes that are typical of Syrah from a cooler climate. In the winery, careful management, hygiene and modern winemaking techniques contribute to the explosive fruit nature of this wine without, I feel, the funky animal aromas that mar Old World examples of the grape. Delicious presently, the ripe, medium-weight tannins of our 1997 Syrah will allow this wine to age beautifully for 5 to 7 years.

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