Cline 2006 Los Carneros Syrah

Cline’s finest Syrah offering. One of the last blocks to ripen, this fruit was handpicked from our 18-acre hillside estate vineyard in Sonoma’s cool-climate Carneros district. Meticulously cared for in both the vineyard and winery to achieve the desired amount of fruit, color and tannin, our Los Carneros Syrah displays deep plum and cherry notes with hints of vanilla and coffee. Aged in French oak, this wine has concentrated flavors and moderate tannins enabling it to age for a minimum of five to seven years.

Vintage:	2006
Wine Type:	Red Wine
Varietal:	Syrah
Appellation:	Carneros
Harvest Date:	October 17
Acid:	0.62g/100ml
PH:	3.82
Residual Sugar:	.25%
Alcohol %:	14.5%

Vineyard Notes:
Our Los Carneros Syrah is grown on a hillside in our Sonoma Carneros estate vineyard. The combination of foggy mornings, warm afternoons and cool evenings make this region one of the most highly regarded in California. These growing conditions translate into a Syrah that has a deep concentration of fresh blueberry fruit, dark color and supple tannins.

Production Notes:
Our hillside Syrah is one of our last vineyards to be harvested each year. The grapes were handpicked and de-stemmed without crushing and pumped to our fermenting tanks. The must was cooled and within 24 hours, cultured wine yeast was added. The wine was pumped-over three times a day to maximize fruit and color extraction. Fermentation was kept at moderate temperatures and the must was pressed shortly after the wine had gone dry. The wine is racked once and then moved on to 30 % new French oak with a dark toast level for 12 months aging.

Winemaker Notes:
This is our most flavor-intense Syrah and is one of the most concentrated wines that we make at Cline. Dark, rich and extremely flavorful, deep plum and cherry notes accented with aromas and flavors of vanilla and coffee are offered. The combination of tannin, acid, fruit and great mouth feel come together to create a balanced and robust wine.

Food Pairing:
The range and complexity of this wine pairs well with simple rustic, country fare and more elegant dishes such as grilled lamb and mustard-glazed pork loin.