Syrah, Ballard Canyon Estate, 2008
The grapes for our Ballard Canyon Estate Syrah release are from the estate vineyards around the winery, located in the beautiful Ballard Canyon. Located in the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation, Ballard Canyon has its own nuances and micro-climates that make it a near-perfect place for grape varietals such as Syrah. This very small bottling contains classic Ballard Canyon Syrah aromas of cassis and blackberry, with hints of star anise. Silky with concentrated flavors of dried plums and boysenberries that mix with fine-grain tannins and linger on the palate.

Brought directly to the winery in the early hours of the morning, the grapes were de-stemmed and then fermented in small 1-ton bins, and then punched down by hand numerous times each day to extract all the dark colors, spicy flavors and smooth tannins from the grape skins. The new wine was then placed into French oak barrels, of which 64% were new barrels, and allowed to age for 16 months. This Reserve wine was bottled unfiltered in February 2010 and released in January of the following year. Only 169 cases were produced.

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Optimal Storage Conditions:
Constant temperature, 55-58°F, darkness.

Aging Potential
To enjoy young fruit aromas, consume within 1-3 years of bottling date. For extended aging under ideal conditions, consume within 3-10 years of bottling date.

Vineyards:
Rusack Estate

Varietal:
Syrah 88%, Petite Sirah 12%

Bottle Analysis:
Alcohol: 14.5%, pH: 3.58, TA: 0.645 g/100ml

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