2004 Erba Mountainside Vineyards Syrah

Planted to all five Bordeaux varietals as well as Syrah, the Erba Mountainside Vineyard team has been blessed with a ‘next to perfect’ setting nestled well above the fog line. The vineyard is a twenty acre parcel consisting of fourteen blocks. Each row receives abundant sunshine through the early morning and mid-day, followed by forgiving Westerly breezes and cooling shade in the afternoon. To put it simply, each acre of Erba Mountainside wines consistently display a dark and richly complex, site specific character that you would only expect from the most seasoned wines. It all begins in that ‘next to perfect’ setting.

Climate

Located on the Eastern slope of Atlas Peak, Erba Mountainside Vineyard typically receives early morning and mid afternoon sun. The soils are volcanic and porous enabling the heat to radiate. Cooling breezes typically rush through the mountains at times taking the temperature down 30° F by late afternoon. The temperature change is vital to maintain acid structure in the grapes.

Winemaking

At harvest, clusters are hand picked, destemmed and sorted prior to crushing. Malolactic fermentation is done in barrique. 100% French Oak is used throughout, and 60% new oak is used in this Syrah.

2004 Tasting Notes

The Erba Syrah is fast becoming the rising star of the property. A prodigious wine from the moment it’s poured, this wine displays as array of Rhone Valley attributes, with the dominant fruit forward characteristic of Napa Valley. Bold levels of black cherry, coffee, leather and smoked meat show immediately. It’s the first spin of the glass that unveils a second layer of bittersweet chocolate and cedar. The silky palate offers flavors of the sweet mountain fruit and terroir and that you would expect from collection worthy wines of the Northern Rhone.

Harvest Dates

September 29-October 17, 2004

Oak

100% French, 60% New

Alc

14.8%

pH

3.8

TA

0.59

Total Production

354 cases

Clonal Selection

100% Syrah from clones 877, 470, and 174.