2002 Pax Syrah, Castelli-Knight Ranch, Russian River Valley

The iron rich rocky Terra Rosa clay along with the very steep hillside on which these vines are planted is what makes this such a unique site. Learning from our first vintage with these grapes, we feel we farmed the vineyard better in 2002, and pushed the envelope in the cellar. Minimal de-stemming and crushed entirely by foot, we feel we preserved the essence of this site. The fermentation lasted for 45 days in tank and three months in barrel. In the tank the must temperature peaked at 100 degrees early in the fermentation, creating incredible sweetness of fruit. The wine finished bone dry and was bottled without any fining or filtration. This is pure, unadulterated, super-ripe and concentrated Syrah.

Tasting Note:
Fresh cracked black pepper, Asian spices, intense black fruits and iron make up the compelling aromatics of this intensely perfumed California Syrah. The tannins are intense and mouth filling while the sweet fruit on the mid-palate is balancing and concentrated.