Tomorrow, October 22, 2011 – we will barrel the 2011 Syrah.  As you can see, this one is inky with rich ruby color!  And it smells like heaven.  We crushed almost 2 weeks ago.  I’m looking forward to see how this one turns out over the next 3 years.  Along with it and the Petit Sirah and Cabernet Franc still aging in the cellar – we’ll have plenty to do over the next few months.

Due to weather issues this year the demand was too high for Napa fruit and prices were just way out of my range for a wine I can’t sell yet, so I decided to go back to Purple Pearl Vineyard for the fruit.  The two Merlot vintages came from there, and have not worked with his Syrah until this year.  So far I’m as pleased as I was with the Napa Petit Sirah I purchased last year.

Onward and upward!

Salut!