Bink 2003 Syrah, Hawks Butte Vineyard

Appellation America "Appellation Signature" Selection:
“Black berries and cherries, toasted oak, and supple skin and seed tannins harmonize on the palate and glide to a soft-pedal finish.” (Yorkville Highlands Discovery Tasting: April 11, 2006)

Winemaker Notes:
The grapes were harvested on October 5, 2003, and yielded just 2 tons per acre from this young vineyard. The small crop was due to the young age of the vines and the difficult growing conditions on this hillside vineyard. The grape clusters were long and gracious and produced just 160 gallons of grape juice per ton of grapes, providing plenty of concentrated flavors in the finished wine.

The Syrah was crushed into one ton bins and cold soaked for 48 hours. After the must warmed to 50 degrees F, the bin was inoculated with L2056 cultured yeast. This strain is from the Rhone region in France and works well in Syrah to enhance the roasted meat and mineral quality of the grapes. Primary fermentation lasted for eight days, then the must was pressed into a small stainless steel tank. The wine was innoculated with Oennococcus Oeni cultures to start the secondary malolactic fermentation.

Tasting Notes:
Iridescent purple. Rich aromas of violets, fresh berries, and roasted meat. A balanced mouthful of blackberry, plum and vanilla, with a hint of allspice. Silky, smooth tannins round out the lasting finish.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	Yorkville Highlands
Harvest:	October 5, 2003
Brix:	25.6
Alcohol:	14.2%
pH:	3.87
TA:	0.63
Fermentation/Maturation:	8 days, L2056 yeast / 22 months; 30% Artisan French oak barrels