1997 Syrah Eisele Vineyard

The 1997 Syrah Eisele Vineyard enjoyed a 38-40-day maceration, and has had 7% Viognier added to the blend. The wine is aged in Taransaud oak barrels, of which 60% were new. The 1997 is a sexy, surprisingly evolved, extremely fragrant wine that typifies the 1997 vintage with its expansive aromatics and seductive personality. The wine's saturated dark purple color is followed by a textbook smoky, bacon fat, toasty, tropical fruit, blackberry, honeysuckle, pepper, and spicy-scented nose. Evolved, juicy, rich, and concentrated, but surprisingly refined for a wine of such intensity, this beautifully made Syrah should be ready to drink when released, and age nicely for 10-15 years. Thankfully, more and more Syrah is being produced at Araujo, but quantities remain tiny. Tel. (707) 942-6061; Fax (707) 942-6471