Vellutini Ranch Syrah 2018

This vineyard borders Jackass Vineyard and the backside of Jackass Hill. It is named after Luisa Martinelli’s family, the Vellutini,s who lived on this property. Albert Vellutini was Lee Sr.’s age and they used to fish in the streams and hide from the truant officer when they were kids on this property. They had more fun playing cat and mouse with the truant officer who did not know the creeks and valleys as well as they did.

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

Zinfandel, Syrah

SOIL INFORMATION

Hugo with Josephine

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Sandstone with Shale

ROOTSTOCK

420A

BUDWOOD

ZN = Jackass Hill and Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel budwood

YEAR ACQUIRED

1999

YEAR PLANTED

2001, 2002, 2003

Intriguing aromas of dark chocolate, allspice and blackberry are found in the nose of our 2018 Vellutini Syrah. Integrated tannins punctuate the layers of complexity in the mouth with flavors of cherry, chocolate shavings and sweet nutmeg that last from entry to finish.