The Vineyards
Morgan Syrah is sourced from the Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, and the Santa Lucia Highlands appellations. The cooler climate SLH fruit adds acidity and bright fruitiness, with the warmer climate sources providing structure and concentration. Overnight low temperatures are similar in these appellations, with the more southerly vineyards experiencing warmer daytime highs.
The Vintage
The 2005 vintage was an outstanding one that produced richly colored and classically structured Syrah. The crop load was average, and temperatures remained predictable and steady throughout the growing season. The Syrah harvest finished in early November.
Vinification and Aging
Syrah is fermented in open top fermenters using manual punchdown for optimum extraction and structure with compliant tannins.After primary fermentation, the wine is transferred to French oak barrels, of which 25% are new, for malo-lactic fermentation and 13 months of aging. The wine was bottled in December 2006.
Aromas & Flavors
Include black cherry, blackberry, pomegranate, leather, white pepper, black licorice, with notes of roasted coffee and leather. The saturated black/purple color hints at a wine of rich fruit and structure. The wine picks up barrel spice and brown sugar notes on the finish, while firm tannins resolve into the density of the fruit. The quality of the fruit and the tannin structure suggest a wine that will continue to develop and improve for some time.
