2008 Bell Syrah, Canterbury Vineyards, Sierra Foothills

Vineyards
In 1997 we produced our first Syrah from Ian and Elena Renner’s Canterbury Vineyard at the 2,200 foot elevation in the Sierra Foothills. Uniquely situated on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the large New Mellones Dam, and with full western exposure, the 8-acre vineyard enjoys a microclimate with warm sunny days, no fog, and moderated by cool afternoon breezes off the dam. Well drained soils with a shallow layer of schist restricts root growth, resulting in vines that yield intensely flavored fruit.

Vintage Notes
The 2008 growing season began with heavy rains which soon waned and for the second year in a row the Valley received about 60% of normal rainfall. The dry soils and warm spring led to an early bud break. The frost season was one of the worst in 30 years, with 22 to 24 days of protection required. Areas that had not experienced frost were not spared and, once all the grapes were harvested, our total crop was off 40%. Some rain occurred during bloom and the summer was relatively cool, delaying veraison. Green thinning and canopy management were a necessity to bring vines into balance. A heat spell over Labor Day brought maturity levels along quickly and then cooled down to allow gradual ripening. Light rains during the latter part of harvest had little impact. Overall, the low yielding vintage has produced elegant wines with deep color, high natural acidity and firm tannins.

Tasting Notes
Our 2008 Syrah is a dark ruby red wine with spice and cracked white pepper aromas. This is a dense, rich wine that is incredibly complex with layers of licorice and cedar, and finishes with sweet smoky oak. The endless finish confirms the unique qualities of the Canterbury Vineyard. This delicious wine is a nice alternative for those seeking a rich, round, well-balanced yet softer style wine. A great companion to food, this wine will continue to mature gracefully for many years. Technical Analysis Varietal Syrah Source Canterbury Vineyard, Sierra Foothills Harvest Sugar 28.5 Brix Harvest Acid 0.48 gm/100ml Total Acid 0.66 gm/100ml pH 3.53 Alcohol 14.6% Aging Aged 30 months in French (50%) and (50%) American Oak, (57% new) Bottle Date July 2011 Production 1,289 Cases