Grapecraft

2005 WineSmith Roman Syrah

Winemakers love Syrah. Always easy to grow and to obtain good color in a wide range of microclimates, it differs from other robust red varieties such as cabernet in its graceful, unassertive varietal expression. Syrah accommodates creative stylistic choices on the part of the winemaker, always naturally allowing unique nuances of terroir expression to dominate over varietal traits.

Our own robust example of Syrah, grown in high-altitude living granite possesses a fine, solid structure which frames its unique white cherry terroir expression. Dense, fine tannins present a satisfying mouthful of this rich terroir, and also ensure a long and beneficial ageing capability.

Renaissance Vineyard is a utopian community whose owners’ strong spiritual commitment inspired them to plant vineyards engaging in no conventional petroleum agriculture. The resulting living soil manefests in wines of intense minerality.

The high altitude location submits the vine to conditions of low temperature and high incident sunlight. These conditions produce high levels of color, tannin and quercetin, a UV blocker which also aids color extraction in the fermenter. (Quercetin has also been shown in clinical studies to reduce heart disease and cancer risk.)

Our Syrah can open a meal with a selection of cheeses and olives, or with the main course adores grilled meats as well as spicy paëllas.

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