2020 QUPE SYRAH BIEN NACIDO HILLSIDE ESTATE

Hard to believe, but this is our 27th release of this special single vineyard; 1994 was the first. This vineyard block just keeps getting better with age. It is rich without being heavy, and with moderate alcohol, has great balance for aging. We've aged it 2 years in barrel and 2 years in bottle so it shows well on release. It is deeply colored with well integrated flavors of blueberries, cola and hints of black pepper. If you do keep a cellar, you could put this away for another 10-15 years!

VINEYARD

This wine is 100% Syrah from the Z Block at Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. Z Block was our first "custom" planting at Bien Nacido, planted in 1992 on a perfect southwest facing hillside.

WINEMAKING

We used time tested, traditional winemaking techniques ... open top fermenters ... 25% whole clusters ... and manual punch down twice a day until the fermentation is dry. With this Syrah I also do a small portion (about 10-12%) of saignee barrel fermentation, which gives the wine a nice toasty, mocha aspect. After pressing, the wine was aged for 24 months in French Oak Burgundy barrels. For the first year in about 40% new barrels, then racked, blended and returned to neutral barrels for the additional time. I then selected my favorite 18 barrels and bottled.