2002 Lytton Estate Syrah

Forty inches of winter rain and a warm spring produced a good crop, despite further rain in May, during set. We thinned moderately in August, at veraison, and harvested from September 6 to 28. Circulation of juice over the cap was kept to a minimum, moderating the big, easily extracted tannins. Natural yeasts carried the wine to dryness; we pressed at seven days. An uninoculated malolactic and twelve months in small cooperage followed. We then selected barrels from four small parcels of syrah, four of grenache, and one of carignane. The dominant fruit is syrah, which also provides structure. Grenache brings an exotic dimension to the fruit, and old-vine carignane adds bright acidity and a touch of elegance. A total of twenty-two months in air-dried american oak has brought the tannins and full body into balance, and five years of bottle age will bring further complexity to this fine wine. PD (7/04)

Ridge has just over three acres of mature syrah and three and a half acres of younger vines at Lytton Springs West. Since 1996, we have produced limited amounts for the Advance Tasting Program. In 2002, a syrah base was assembled from the most intense and distinct syrah lots. By taste, grenache and carignane were added providing greater complexity to the fruits and textural tannins. Because matching a grape varietal to the climate and soil of a particular site is a costly decision to revise, we have planted several of the finest clones and field selections in both of the young vine parcels.

Rainfall: Average, approximately 45 inches
Bloom: May (normal) with rain that affected set
Weather: Cool spring, warm summer, and early fall

39 barrels produced.

Average Rating: 91.0

No. of Tasting Notes: 31

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