2020 DIERBERG SYRAH
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Vintage
2020
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Appellation
Happy Canyon
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Varietal
Syrah
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Alcohol
14.5%
WINEMAKER NOTES
I have remarked before that Syrah does well in high stress and low-yield situations, and that's precisely what we saw in 2020. We utilized similar techniques from similar vintages, such as 2015, by fermenting cooler and reducing maceration times. Again, these subtle decisions in the cellar simply helped accentuate the concentration and power of the vintage, which needed little help in finding its voice. The end result is a wine of elegance and balance despite the concentration of fruit. This is a beautiful Syrah.
TASTING NOTES
Star Lane Vineyard Syrah is often quite savory, with spiced cured meat flavors dancing around the core of dark cherry fruit. In 2020 the subtleties of the grape varietal seem to show through even more than in past years, with an undercurrent of bacon fat and garrigue laced throughout the dark and concentrated fruit. This year's Syrah shows how serious the wine can be from Happy Canyon and demonstrates a sophistication that is likely coming from a well developed vineyard. The wine should age for many years to come.
WINEMAKER NOTES
Most colleagues I speak with enjoy their 2019s more now than when the vintage initially arrived. The fruit was beautiful, thick skinned, and initially presented a subtle, quiet character that veiled its power and depth. Sensing the inherent structure, we did not include as many stems in the ferment as may be typical because we believed structure was present without any assistance. This proved true as maceration times were also shorter. As the wine aged in nearly 40% new French oak, more and more depth emerged as the wines also remained nimble and refreshing
TASTING NOTES
Most colleagues I speak with enjoy their 2019s more now than when the vintage initially arrived. The fruit was beautiful, thick skinned, and initially presented a subtle, quiet character that veiled its power and depth. Sensing the inherent structure, we did not include as many stems in the ferment as may be typical because we believed structure was present without any assistance. This proved true as maceration times were also shorter. As the wine aged in nearly 40% new French oak, more and more depth emerged as the wines also remained nimble and refreshing
