• 2011 Syrah
    Mendocino
    • (750 ml) Sold Out!
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Historic value Recent Press

Urban legend says that Syrah came from Syria or Persia, hence the name Shiraz. 1998 DNA research would indicate otherwise. Mondeuse Blance, one of Syrah's parents, is a Savoie variety grown in eastern France near the Alps, in the departments of Ain, Isère and Haute-Savoie. Dureza, the other parent, is an almost extinct variety grown close by in the Drôme and Isères. Since Syrah was a spontaneous vineyard cross, the two varieties would have had to grow in close proximity and remote Isère, in the French Rhône-Alps, seems to be the most probable place of origin. The anthocyanins in Syrah skins are higher than many other red wine grape varieties making its wine suitable for long term aging and maturation. To soften Syrah's tannic edge, Navarro's tasting panel chose a blend which included twenty percent Dark Horse Grenache. Dark and earthy, it has hints of black currant, plum and coffee. Gold Medal winner.
Heath Dolan at Dark Horse Vineyards. [right] The Dolan family members are experienced winemakers, as well as grape-growers, making it easy for us to communicate Navarro's needs. Since both the Grenache Noir and Syrah were biodynamically grown by Dark Horse Vineyards, on volcanic soil, there is definitely a sense of place in these two wines.

Specifications
  • Harvested: Oct. 15, 2011
  • Sugars at harvest: 25.0° Brix
  • Bottled: Aug. 24, 2012
  • Cases produced: 530
  • Alcohol: 13.9%
  • Titratable acidity: 6.7 g/L
  • pH: 3.64