The wine possesses dark color from rim to center – almost black with deep purple nuances. When first opened ripe aromas of cassis, rosemary, raspberries, black berries, asphalt, smoke and blackberry jump from the glass. With some air the wine tightens up and the aromatics evolve to reveal cooler notes of mint, black pepper, violet and flint. On the palate, focused flavors of black pepper, raspberry and violets lead off on the attack. As the wine moves across the palate, flavors of cassis and meat emerge and are supported by a ripe tannic structure and balanced acidity. The finish is very long and ends with flavors of spicy black pepper and cassis.
VINEYARD NOTES
Grapes from Sundown Vineyard (55%) in the Rogue Valley and Deux Vert Vineyard (45%) in the Willamette Valley
WINEMAKER NOTES
95% Syrah, 5% Viognier