Meyer Family Syrah 2017, Yorkville Highlands, Mendocino County, California

Meyer Family Cellars is a small, family-owned winery situated in the picturesque Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino County. At once a leading artisanal winery in one of California’s emerging viticultural areas, Meyer Family Cellars blends establishing this new Appellation with the legacy of Silver Oak Cellars. Today Meyer Family Cellars is in the capable hands of co-winemakers Matt and Karen Meyer. Their approach to winemaking mirrors the unique position of their product. While their wine incorporates ‘old world’ balanced acidity and minerality with ‘new world’ ripeness and forward fruit, similarly, Matt and Karen apply the wisdom gleaned from family history while welcoming new ideas into the process. 2017 syrah: A warm vintage bursts with a ripe mixture huckleberry, blueberry, and plum. Behind the fruit a savory backdrop mingles with violet, pepper, and wet earth. The hallmark acidity of this wine is again present on the palate and complemented by a touch of ‘grit’ provided by the small percentage of Petite Sirah blended into the wine. Two years in barrel has softened the palate and added aromas of vanilla, cedar, and clove. The fruit cold soaked for 24-hours and was inoculated with yeast the next morning. Pumping over the Syrah was adjusted in duration and frequency, depending on taste and yeast activity (one to three times per day). The ferments were pressed off between two and four brix and then returned to tank. Once dry, the wine was racked off lees and inoculated for malolactic fermentation. MLF was done in tank and barrel, and upon completion, racked into barrel for 20 months. 98% Syrah, 2% Petite Sirah.