Cuvée Mystérieuse

Blend: Syrah 73%, Merlot 22%, Viognier 5%. The Syrah grapes for this blend came from a steep, rocky, west-facing amphitheater-like slope at ~2000ft. elevation on lean clay/loam topsoil and decomposed granite & quartz sub-soil. The Merlot was grown on an east facing slope at 2300 ft, with similar, if slightly less rocky soil. The whole blend was co-fermented in Burgundy-style 1.5 ton open-top wood fermenters and was pressed directly into barrels. It was aged on its lees until the day of bottling in 50% new and 50% 1-2 years old French oak barrels (all Rousseau). No alcoholic or m/l inoculations, no acid corrections, no fining or filtration. Bottled manually, with total SO2 near zero at the time of bottling.

Tasting Notes

Tasting Date:   5/16/2009 – This has gained a lot of complexity and depth: fascinating aromatics of spicy flowers floating over a bed of rich fruit

Tasting Date:   10/15/2005 – Deep garnet color, intense purple rim. An expansive, complex, fascinating nose of flowers, berries, earth, spices, and aromatic woods. Medium-full bodied, with bright fruity core, layered complexity, and a burst of fresh mountain herbs at the finish. This wine has a remerkable detail and elegance. Properly stored, it should drink well and further improve for 10-15 years.