Ty Caton
2020 Syrah
, Ballfield
Moon Mountain District

If there ever was a wine that deserved a steak or burger, you just found it.

Elegant, plush, and backed by power and grace.  The nose pushes notes of blackberry and mocha, sweet maple-cured bacon, lavender, spice, and blueberry.  The palate is lush with pipe tobacco, boysenberry held together by subtle pepper spice.  Nicely framed by 50% new French oak for 15 months.
Its smooth finish leaves you with silky, lingering tannins.

Syrah's meaty, smokey flavors complement burgers, sausages, and lamb. The wine's peppery boldness also pairs well with lamb's delicate, earthy flavors.

VINEYARD
The two unique blocks of Syrah planted side by side on the Caton Vineayrd offer distinct characteristics and harmonious balance when together. Block 1 is a 2.6 acre planting with North-South row direction. This block consistently offers bold fruit and complex flavor profile. Block 2 is a 3.9 acre site with East-West row direction. The block is warm with limited afternoon sun, so it produces a wine with the best of both worlds: fruit forwardness of a warm site and spice qualities of a cool site.

VINTAGE
The 2020 harvest started with excellent growing conditions in Sonoma Valley. Temperature rose consistently through Labor Day while September brought high temperature spikes accelerating the last weeks of harvest. It took a unpredictable turn mid-August with wildfires.  Luckily, the early harvest allowed them time to pick the Caton Vineyard with smaller berries and more concentrated fruit.

Winemaker: Ty Caton
Appellation:  Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Valley
Vineyard:  Estate Grown, Caton Vineyard
Varietals: 100% Syrah
Cooperage:  15 Months, 50% New French Oak
Farming Practices:  Certified Sustainable
Alcohol: 15.2%

Tasting Notes  PDF

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