ENKIDU
2021 Syrah
, Steiner Vineyard
Sonoma Mountain

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
91 Points - Sommeliers Choice Awards

Rich, bold & spicy.  Deep garnet color in the glass.  The nose gives loads of blackberry, plum, fresh raspberry and peppery aromas, while the palate delivers juicy berry compote, cassis, caramel, toasted almond and black pepper flavors before a rich, dusty tannin finish.  If you can hold and cellar four to five years you will be rewarded.  Drink now through 2030.

Syrah's meaty, smokey flavors complement meats of all kinds.
This wine is begging for braised short ribs, steak, or your favorite burger.
Only 75 cases produced of this gem.  While it lasts!

VINEYARDS

Steiner Vineyard, owned by Belden Barns, is a much lauded vineyard on Sonoma Mountain and has been producing grapes for over 30 years.  It sits between Sonoma Valley and the Santa Rosa Plain and sits at 1,400’ elevation.  Situated on the Santa Rosa side, it receives blasting cool breezes in the summer.  Cool climate Syrahs gets much longer hang time and greater complexity.  The clone that is planted is the Alban clone, which is responsible for the bacon fat tapenade characteristics of this wine.

WINEMAKING

20-25% whole clusters to the de-stemmed fruit which is hand inspected before going to tank. This Syrah began with a four/five day cold soak and 2x daily pump-overs for two days.  Received 2x daily vigorous punch downs until dry.  Native yeast fermentations. After fermentation is complete they pressed the lot at around 15 days, and after settling for a day it goes to barrel.  They racked twice before the Syrah was bottled, about 15-17 months in barrel.  Only neutral French oak to allow full expression of this fabulous Syrah.

VINTAGE

By all accounts, 2021 was an extraordinary vintage across the Sonoma appellations, yielding wines with depth, power, concentration and excellent acid retention, perfect for long-lived aging and a distinct sense of place. Marked by moderate weather, minimal heat spikes, and a long, stable weather pattern, which allowed for gradual and even ripening.  While the drought conditions of the previous years persisted, the absence of prolonged heat events resulted in a smooth harvest with naturally low yields, leading to more concentrated flavors and a powerful tannin structure in the wines.  The wines from this vintage are known for their intense aromas and flavors, with small berries resulting in high skin-to-juice ratios, which contribute to the wines powerful tannin structure.  2021 is a collector's vintage.

APPELLATION:  Sonoma Mountain
VARIETAL:  Syrah
HARVEST DATE:  October 15, 2021
AGING:  17 Months in 100% Neutral French oak barrels
BOTTLING DATE:  May 9, 2023
TA:  6.27 gms/L
pH:  3.65
ALCOHOL:  15.4%

Tasting Notes  PDF

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