R&B Cellars

Vineyards:
We have found over the years that oftentimes the best blend of a certain varietal will be better with a mix of regions, and also that blending can add significantly to the complexity of the final wine. This superb wine is a combination of Syrah from three excellent regions of California, each bringing its own distinct characteristic to the blend.

Cellar Practices and Winemaking:
In order to create a wine with richness and complexity, yet still fruit driven and varietally accurate, we blended 2003 Clarksburg Syrah with 2003 Mendocino Syrah and just a touch of the more pronounced and oaked 2003 Santa Barbara Syrah. The combination of these three areas yields a wine with exceptional varietal character and flavor. The oak program on the three wines was very different with the Clarksburg Syrah receiving the most modest oak ageing and the Santa Barbara Syrah receiving 80% new oak to add structure. The wine is cross flow filtered, which also contributes to leveling out the tannins and making the wine eminently drinkable upon release.

Winemaker's Comments:
The vibrant fresh blackberry fruit from Clarksburg combined with the spicy components from Mendocino are complimented by the massive, dark, rich concentration of the Santa Barbara Syrah. The resulting wine is complex, intense, and a blockbuster of blackberry and blueberry fruit with exotic spice and the subtle tarry components one expects of a great Syrah. The moderate oak program in the Clarksburg preserves the vibrant fruit and a softer mouthful. The bouquet shows layer upon layer of dark berry fruit with hints of pepper and spice laced throughout. The flavors are dark blackberry and currant with hints of smoke and tar ending in a smooth silky finish. The color is intense to say the least. If your pen runs out of ink, you can use the wine.