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Appellation: |
Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District |
Vineyard: |
Miravalle 100% |
Clones: |
Beaucastel and Chapoutier |
Varietal: |
Syrah 100% |
Aged: |
22 Months in French Oak Barrels |
Production: |
240 9-Liter Cases |
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Winemaker Notes |
| Our 2001 vintage Syrah greets you with a burst of floral
and berry fruit, reminiscent of violets, blackberries and
bright cherry. These aromas are laced with a smoky, toasty
nuance of oak that surround and enhance the fruit. The palate
is richly concentrated with hints of chocolate, roasted
meats, and a dash of rose petal. With its supple, mouthwatering
tannins and complexity of fruit and oak, this wine is ready
to be enjoyed today. However, considering the depth and
structure of the 2001 Syrah, you will be rewarded with an
even greater appreciation if you choose to age for 2-6 years. |
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The 2001 Vintage |
| Bud break was normal occurring mid March with bloom occurring
mid May. Early spring temperatures were mild and rainfall
was light. Where April was a bit cool, both May and June
were fairly warm setting the stage for an excellent growing
season. July through September was mild and steady with
only occasional heat spikes into the 90’s. Maturation
evolved slowly and produced intensely flavored grapes with
great color, concentration, and due to long hang time, great
balance. Our Syrah is planted on a SW facing slope, similar
to northern Rhone, which allows it to be sun drenched the
entire growing season. |
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Spring Mountain Syrah |
| First produced in 1995, the success of Spring Mountain
Syrah reflects the versatility and uniqueness of the 225
acres planted on our estate. The Syrah blocks are planted
with an eclectic mix of European clones from world-renowned
vineyards. All of the grapes for this wine come from the
Miravalle property, originally planted by Tiburcio Parrott
in 1885. Miravalle is one of the warmest spots on the estate
with a mix of alluvial and stony soils that are ideal conditions
for the Syrah grape. |
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Spring Mountain Vineyard |
| Originally four individual historic Napa Valley properties,
Miravalle, La Perla, Alba, and Chevalier have now been combined
to create an 850 acre estate of forest and vineyard on the
eastern slopes of Spring Mountain overlooking the small
town of Saint Helena. Over 225 acres of the estate are planted
to vine, creating 135 separate hillside vineyard blocks
each with its own unique soil, exposure, and microclimate.
The vineyard is planted in densities of 4,000 vines per
acre and trained to the ancient gobelet form, a vertical
trellising method that was invented in an earlier millennium
by the Romans. |
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