This 2003 Syrah is our third release from Chalone Vineyard in Monterey County, California. As the vines have matured we are seeing the fruit intensity and texture going from good to great. I feel this wine is as good as or better than our 2002, which was chosen as one of top 100 wines of the year by Wine Spectator. Due to gentle fruit handling, the wine is effusively fruity, with aromas of dark Bing cherries and blackberries. Seventeen months in French Oak added sweet vanilla and firmed up the naturally soft tannins. We refer to the Chalone style of Syrah as "Pinot Noir on steroids," alluding to its soft texture and intense fruit. Small additions of Grenache (5%) and Viognier (3%) add complexity and lift the aromas, giving more interest to Syrah's inherently ponderous nature.
