Chico’s Hill Syrah 2018

Chico’s Hill is a one acre vineyard on an easterly facing slope. It has a great soil profile which is predominantly fractured rock. Fractured rock makes for great growing conditions because the rock warms the earth by the early morning sun, stimulating vine growth, and in addition, rain water penetrates the soil depth easily and drains off. The landscape is long and narrow with a 45 degree slope, and was where Julianna Martinelli’s horse, Chico, was stabled when she was a child. The rows are oriented in a north-south direction to equalize sunlight exposure on both sides of the canopy morning and afternoon. For vine training we installed a vertical trellis system with fruit wire sitting 22 inches above ground level, encouraging consistent ripening of the grape clusters.  The vineyard consists solely of clone 877.

The 2018 season was much calmer than 2017, due to the absence of extra rain and heat spikes we experienced in 2017. The moderate temperatures in the spring and summer allowed for a longer growing season and full flavor development. There was plenty of water in the soil to carry the clusters through the long growing season with minimal dehydration. Our first day of harvest in 2018 was September 10, compared with an August 26 start in 2017. It was nice that the production crew could enjoy the Labor Day holiday right before the long hours and hard work of harvest began.

APPELLATION

Russian River Valley

VARIETALS PLANTED

Syrah

SOIL INFORMATION

Franciscan

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Clay Loam

ROOTSTOCK

420

BUDWOOD

877

YEAR PLANTED

2001

As the bouquet opens up, aromas of boysenberry, violets and coffee come to life. Elegant yet present tannins fill the mouth with flavors of black currants and black plum. These textures and flavors are present in the succulent, long finish.