2017 :Nota Bene Syrah – Ciel du Cheval Vineyard : Red Mountain

We’ve come to expect rich, dark fruit in our Syrah from Ciel du Cheval Vineyard…and maybe just a few savory notes to keep us guessing. We are showing the Tablas Creek clone of Syrah originally sourced from Chateau de Beaucastel of Châteauneuf-du-Pape by the Perrin family.  The clones were propagated in the Tablas Creek Vineyard of California and on to Ciel du Cheval where they are making a wonderfully complex, supple wine with significant dusty tannins common to Red Mountain and valued when properly cellared over time. 

• Bottled 7/27/19
• 87 cases produced
• Alcohol 14.6%
• pH 3.91, TA 5.5 g/L

95% Syrah (Ciel du Cheval Vineyard)
5% Viognier (Dineen Vineyard)

Barrels: This wine was aged 22 months in Export-style barrels of 25% once used French oak from Ton. Doreau, and seasoned French oak from Alain Fouquet, Ton. Vernou, and Ton. de Jarnac. All seasoned barrels included #1lb of French oak infusion by Canton Cooperage in each barrel.

White pepper and incense accentuate dried roses and black cherries as the 2017 Syrah Ciel Du Cheval Vineyard opens in the glass. It is silky and supple on the palate, with its juicy persona and crisp red and black fruits. It leaves a staining of minerality and exotic spice, finishing a bit chewy with adolescent tannins that pinch at the cheeks. While still in need of a bit of cellaring, the 2017 is a beautifully balanced Syrah that will surely over-deliver in the years to come.
-- Eric Guido - May 2023 - Drinking Window 2024 - 2029