Lynfred Meals and Wines

The wine of the month is an unfiltered, reserve batch of Syrah.  The Syrah grape is quite well known, but many seem quite confused when they see bottles with the names Syrah, Shiraz and Petite Sirah (also spelled ‘Syrah’) The Syrah grape is capable of producing wines of immense complexity.  Its origins derive from the Rhone Valley of France where it is somewhat worshipped.  Syrah has the oldest charted geography, as well as history, of any of the grape varieties.  It is known for its ‘spicy’ and ‘peppery’ qualities and is also noted for  its ability to produce roasted and smoky, blackberry flavors.  The most popular wine in Australia, grossing 40 percent of vine growth, is Shiraz; however, it is said to have truly originated in the Shiraz region of Persia. The difference in terroir (soil geography) creates a product somewhat different than its French version, Syrah.  Shiraz produces a strawberry flavor with smoky, earthy aromas.  Its soft peppery qualities are less than that of Syrah, but smoke persists.  Finally, Petite Sirah has somewhat of a murky origin.  Petite Sirah was planted in California in the late 1800’s, named Petite because of its much smaller clusters than Syrah.  It was also confusingly known as the Durif grape as it was promoted in France by Dr. Durif.  Petite Sirah produces an inky dark wine, robust and rich in tannins.  Hopefully this will clear up any confusion between the three grapes.  The grapes for this vintage of Syrah came from two states; Washington and California during the harvest of 2009.  60% off the batch was from Jones Vineyard in the Columbia Valley of Washington, and the other 40% came from Olagaray Vineyards, located in Lodi, California. The wine was aged in new American and French oak barrels and was left unfiltered. Taste ProfileAroma: Cloves, spices, vanilla, cinnamonPalate: Velvety, dried fruits, menthol, oakBody: Medium to fullFinish: Bright, hot, complexFoods: Spicy foods, pork chops, sausagesTechnical NotesAged: American & French OakVintage: 2009Residual Sugar: 0.2%Alcohol Percentage: 14.0Titratable Acid: 4.0 g/LpH: 364Release Date: January 1, 2012Total Cases: 723 casesClub Release Price: $20.00Winery Release Price: $30.00Aging Potential: 3-8 YearsServing Temperature: 65

The wine of the month is an unfiltered, reserve batch of Syrah.  The Syrah grape is quite well known, but many seem quite confused when they see bottles with the names Syrah, Shiraz and Petite Sirah (also spelled ‘Syrah’)

The Syrah grape is capable of producing wines of immense complexity.  Its origins derive from the Rhone Valley of France where it is somewhat worshipped.  Syrah has the oldest charted geography, as well as history, of any of the grape varieties.  It is known for its ‘spicy’ and ‘peppery’ qualities and is also noted for  its ability to produce roasted and smoky, blackberry flavors. 

The most popular wine in Australia, grossing 40 percent of vine growth, is Shiraz; however, it is said to have truly originated in the Shiraz region of Persia. The difference in terroir (soil geography) creates a product somewhat different than its French version, Syrah.  Shiraz produces a strawberry flavor with smoky, earthy aromas.  Its soft peppery qualities are less than that of Syrah, but smoke persists. 

Finally, Petite Sirah has somewhat of a murky origin.  Petite Sirah was planted in California in the late 1800’s, named Petite because of its much smaller clusters than Syrah.  It was also confusingly known as the Durif grape as it was promoted in France by Dr. Durif.  Petite Sirah produces an inky dark wine, robust and rich in tannins.  Hopefully this will clear up any confusion between the three grapes. 

The grapes for this vintage of Syrah came from two states; Washington and California during the harvest of 2009.  60% off the batch was from Jones Vineyard in the Columbia Valley of Washington, and the other 40% came from Olagaray Vineyards, located in Lodi, California. The wine was aged in new American and French oak barrels and was left unfiltered.

Taste Profile

Aroma: Cloves, spices, vanilla, cinnamon
Palate: Velvety, dried fruits, menthol, oak
Body: Medium to full
Finish: Bright, hot, complex
Foods: Spicy foods, pork chops, sausages

Technical Notes

Aged: American & French Oak
Vintage: 2009
Residual Sugar: 0.2%
Alcohol Percentage: 14.0
Titratable Acid: 4.0 g/L
pH: 364
Release Date: January 1, 2012
Total Cases: 723 cases
Club Release Price: $20.00
Winery Release Price: $30.00
Aging Potential: 3-8 Years
Serving Temperature: 65

  1. lynfred posted this