2007 Christopher Michael
Paso Robles Syrah
Winemaker’s Notes
With a rainy and cool vintage shaping up in Oregon, it was a nice change of pace to spend some time in California for the first harvest of Christopher Michael fruit. This Syrah comes from a beautiful vineyard located in the Paso Robles AVA, and was harvested in early September. We were fortunate to receive beautifully ripe fruit that came in under four tons per acre.
Sugars in tank were a modest 25.5 brix and fruit was 100% destemmed into fermenters for a cool soak over the next two days. The wine was on skins for 21 days and fermented dry. Via gravity flow the Syrah was put to barrel and aged for 16 months in neutral French oak. The 2007 Christopher Michael Syrah comes entirely from free run juice, which allows us to avoid fining and tames the rustic tannins often found in Paso Robles Syrah.
Tasting Notes
Complex aromas of Asian spices, floral notes, black plum, and hints of pink and black pepper complement a nice weight in the mouth with flavors of cherry cola and strawberry that slathers the tongue and lips. It finishes with expansive fine tannins that help hold the lush fruit together.