J. Lohr Estates South Ridge Syrah – Paso Robles

VINTAGE Pre-season rainfall was above normal in 2019. An additional inch of rain fell after budbreak which helped fill in canopy growth before the onset of summer weather. Normally we see bud break a little later in wet years, as was the case in 2019. This delays the phenological stages of the entire vintage, including flowering, veraison and harvest. This worked in our favour in 2019, as the summer heat spikes had subsided by the time we harvested our first block of Syrah on a mild 83-degree day in the Estrella district. We rounded out the fruity, floral and spicy notes of this blend with the inclusion of Grenache, Viognier and Mourvèdre.
VINEYARDS
The J. Lohr Estates South Ridge Syrah is grown in a combination of lime-laden soils and gravel, which restrain the Syrah's growth potential. One third of this fruit was grown in the Adelaide district which brings aromatic notes of white pepper and sandalwood to the blend. Another third comes from parcels located in the warmer Star district where the Syrah flavours tend towards black tea and camphor. The remainder comes from our Beck vineyard, located at high altitude in the Creston sub-zone, which contributes exceptionally dark colour and blue fruit notes.
VINIFICATION
Fermentation: Fermented in 20-tonne stainless steel tanks
Malolactic: 100% malolactic
Maturation:12 months in oak barrels and puncheons
Type of barrel:
13% new barrels of American and French origin