Piedrasassi Rim Rock Vineyard Syrah 2019
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The Rim Rock Vineyard is 7 miles from the ocean, with 35 year old own-rooted vitis vinifera. The Chamise soils there are the exact opposite of limestone: very acidic.
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Wine Enthusiast
Lively aromas of lavender, peppercorn and smashed black raspberry steadily pick up more fresh and floral elements on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard near Highway 101. Flavors of black peppercorn and lavender ride strong acidity into a vanilla-kissed finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Syrah Rim Rock Vineyard, vinified with about one-third whole clusters, has a medium ruby-purple color and spicy blackberry scents with touches of violet, menthol and fragrant earth. The medium-bodied palate is finely grainy and seamlessly fresh, boasting a long, floral finish, so offer it another 2-3 years in bottle to unwind. Best After 2023.
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Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
One of the coolest growing areas in California, the Arroyo Grande Valley runs from the southwest to the northeast, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Central Coast AVA. Situated so that cold Pacific Ocean air and fog is allowed to filter into the valley, Arroyo Grande also has an incredibly long growing season. Bud break occurs in February in most years with flowering in May and harvest in late September; the area is classified as cool Mediterranean.
These weather factors combined with the soil types—continental and marine rocks, greywacke, limestone, shale and volcanic—create wines with great concentration and fresh acidity. The cooler end of the valley is perfect for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and is a good producer of sparkling wines. The warmer, more inland part of the valley is home to some of California’s oldest Zinfandel vines.