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The 2007 Ladera Syrah is grown on our Lone Canyon Estate Vineyard. Lone Canyon is located in the western hills of the Napa Valley on the flank of Mt Veeder. The total acreage of Lone Canyon Vineyard is 480 acres, but only 75 acres are suitable for planting to grapes because of the topography. Of these 75 acres, just 2 acres are planted to Syrah which sits on a very steep slope of roughly 26% grade. In 2000, we planted the syrah block with ENTAV clone 877 grafted onto 101-14 rootstock. The vineyard is steep to very steep with elevations up to 1,100 feet above sea level. The site is on the lower side of a west facing slope, with very rocky, well drained soil. The climate is relatively cool, primarily because of its elevation, but also due to its southerly location in Napa Valley.
The 2007 growing season gave us a dry spring with very little rain. The summer was mild which made for early and even ripening. This allowed us to stretch out the harvest and maintain wonderful fruit quality. We picked on October 3, 2007 with perfect ripeness. The yield was very low at 1 1/2 tons per acre, with small berries and sparse, open clusters.
After crushing, the grapes were cold soaked for 5 days before the beginning of fermentation. Fermentation was then started with mostly native and some commercial wine yeasts. The fermentation lasted 10 days, and was pressed at dryness. The Syrah is aged in 33% new French oak barrels with the remainder going to one and two year old French barrels. The wine was bottled March 3, 2009 at just 146 cases.
The 2007 Ladera Syrah is very typical for the varietal and shows the characteristics and rigors of the Lone Canyon Vineyard. The wine has complex aromatic layers of dark fruit, earthy and herbal spices, smoked meats and violets. The flavors are rich and gamey with hints of bramble fruit. The texture of the wine, a heritage to its mountain location, is very lush with an abundance of powerful, but velvety tannins.
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