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Our Estate vineyard is one of the coldest vineyards in California growing Syrah. When we purchased the property we were concerned that we would not be able to ripen Pinot noir, much less Syrah. But due to our dry October weather, we have an additional month to ripen our grapes in comparison to other typical Syrah growing regions of the world. It is true October days are shorter and daytime highs rarely exceed 75 degrees, yet these qualities lead to longer hang time that imprints our Syrah with characteristics that speak of our place.
Cool climate syrah can take two forms. They are either red-fruited with floral and sanguine notes or leaning towards dark fruit with meaty, earthy notes. In both cases refreshing acidity and low alcohol are key for achieving balance and age-ability. Each of our two cuvées capture one of these expressions while delivering our site's unique mineral and white pepper characteristics.
As we discussed in last Spring's newsletter, you will benefit greatly by aging our syrahs. When young, the power and concentration will no doubt impress but aging syrah, like most red wines, allows aromas to integrate and coalesce while bottle age characteristics develop. The result is a uniform, more complex profile. So drink a bottle now, if you must, but then hide a few and forget about them for a few years.
Okay, we're biased. But these wines are very likely to be some of the best red wines we have ever made, anywhere. They have power and richness with impeccable balance.
2006 Peay Vineyards La Bruma Estate Syrah - 475 Cases
The 2006 La Bruma (the "fog or mist") is a young'un. It will provide much enjoyment on release if you pop the cork and drink straight away. But this is a wine that will engage all of your senses with 5 years or more in bottle. It has the structure, the depth of fruit and the breed to be a superior wine.
La Bruma is a blend of clones 1 (24%), Estrella (23%), 470 (19%), 174 (15%), and a suitcase selection (19%) that we call P². Blocks were picked, vinified and aged separately for 15 months in 24% new french oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The alcohol is 13.9%.
The nose has medium to high intensity with red fruit and floral notes. Smoke, lavender and nicoise black olive tapenade aromas intermingle with cinnamon and other brown spices around a black raspberry core. On the palate La Bruma is powerful and smooth with fine silky tannins. Aromas of boar sausage, cured meat and guava build in the mid-palate. The finish is very long with lingering notes of mocha and marionberries. The 2006 La Bruma has more depth and is less peppery than the superb 2005. Drink now without a significant decant or age for 5+ years for maximum pleasure.
2006 Peay Vineyards Les Titans Estate Syrah - 375 Cases
True to its name, Les Titans (the "Giants") is the more masculine, compact cuvée. Like La Bruma, Les Titans can be drunk on release, though a decant of an hour will allow the wine to flesh out. To fully appreciate Les Titans you should age it for at least 5 years.
Les Titans is a blend of Estrella (47%), 1 (27%), a Côte Rôtie selection (18%) and 174 (8%). Blocks were picked, vinified and aged separately for 15 months in 33% new french oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The alcohol is 14.0%.
The dark nose showcases plum and grilled meats with hickory smoke. The tannins are soft but drier than in La Bruma. As the wine carries across the palate the flavors amplify and fill the mouth with dried fig, iron, blackberry, white pepper and fennel seed. The length is incredibly long and persistent. Drink now with an hour decant or age for 5+ years.
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