Small Lots Syrah, 2019

GROWING CONDITIONS: The mid and southern Okanagan, and Similkameen Valleys, experienced an early start to the growing season with warm, dry conditions which persisted until August. The month of August and early September experienced smoke covered valleys from local wild fires which slowed the ripening process, allowing for an extended period for ripening and development of flavours. During late September conditions improved providing an excellent harvest period for early ripening varietals. An early October frost caused some issues with late ripening varietals, but overall the 2018 vintage saw a near normal to good growing season.

WINEMAKING: The grapes are cropped at a low yield on the vine to allow concentration of flavours into every berry. The grapes undergo a gentle crush, then fermented in small open top fermenters using a special Rhone yeast; pumped over 2-3 times per day during fermentation for complete extraction of pigments and flavours. The wine is then aged in new and second use American and French oak barrels for 14 months before final assemblage.

FLAVOUR PROFILE: A deep purple black colour with a lovely warming bouquet of ripe blackberry, dark plum, black cherry, white pepper spice, leather, oak and violet. This full-bodied wine has soft yet drying tannins, great structure, and plenty of juicy, dark fruit flavours, accented by notes of spice and earth. Wonderful notes of black tea, bittersweet chocolate, black currant and spice linger on the finish. Food Suggestions: Serve with spiced London broils; braised meats; herbes de Provence scented roasted potatoes; steak with peppercorn sauce; steak and kidney pie; bean and lentil stews; spiced veggie lentil burger; roasted beets; aged Beemster Gouda.