1995 Syrah

Cline Cellars
1995 Syrah
Carneros

Technical Notes
1995 Syrah
Carneros
HARVEST DATE: 28 to 30 October
BRIX AT HARVEST: 22.8 to 23.7
TOTAL ACIDITY: 0.69g/100ml
FINAL pH: 3.40
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.025g/100ml
ALCOHOL: 14.0%

VINTAGES NOTES
1995 was an exceptionally long growing season in California. A wet winter and cool summer months allowed for ample water at our Carneros Home Ranch as well as an even ripening, preserving intense varietal flavor and fine acid structure. Harvest was particularly late, and the added hang time lent our wines an incredible level of concentration. For Cline Cellars, 1995 is another in a string of exceptional vintages and will be noted for wines of intense, forward fruit.

VINEYARDS
Though only the second vintage from our 12 acre hillside vineyard in Sonoma's Carneros district, 1995 demonstrates the incredible synergy that Syrah has shown with this unique site. The chilly Carneros fogs and the steep, north-facing slope of hillside vineyards 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 vines to struggle and keep yields extremely low, further concentrating fruit character. Well-drained, rocky loam soils force vines to struggle and keep yields extremely low, further concentrating fruit character in the grapes. We have been truly impressed with the quality and individuality of wine produced from this unique vineyard.

FERMENTATION AND AGING
In 1995 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 were de-leafed by hand before partial destemming and a very light crushing. After a 48 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 1995 was racked twice and completed malolactic fermentation before being laid down to a complement of small French and American oak cooperage--approximately 25% new American. 14 months barrel age and an additional month in tank before bottling lend 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 micro-climate of our Carneros ranch. A 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 smoky/tarry characteristics, here, in Carneros. The steep northerly slope of our hillside vineyard seems to help bring forward the fresh cracked pepper and cherry notes that are typical of Syrah from a cooler climate; in the winery, careful management, hygiene and modern winemaking techniques contribute 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 1995 Syrah will allow this wine to age beautifully for 5 to 7 years.

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