Deep purple in color, this wine exudes cassis, blackberry, and plum, with hints of leather, spice, and sweet tobacco. Robust and elegant, our Private Reserve Syrah culminates in a velvety, complex finish.

The summer of 2002 was moderately hot, with warm to fairly cool temperatures in the fall. The grapes matured slowly and steadily, retaining richness of flavor and balance. The Syrah was handpicked from the sloping hillsides of the Thereza and Ian Vineyards. The average brix at harvest was 24.6, with an overall yield of 2.5 tons per acre.

Over 1,200 barrels of our estate-grown Syrah were carefully monitored and tasted before making the selection for this wine. The wine was aged 20 months in 45% new French oak before master blending, and then aged in mature French oak barrels until bottling in May 2004. The Private Reserve Syrah is already showing nicely, but will age gracefully for five to seven years.