2022 Syrah Au Naturel

Natural doesn’t have to mean messy.  This syrah has a clean, fresh nose of black olives, plums and ink.  In the mouth, we find tight tannins and notes of plum, vanilla and blueberry.  The wine has an electric energy about it and the vibrant aromas develop well in the glass.  The finish is not exceptionally long, but it is clean and leaves you wanting more.

In 2005, Christie White and Luis Castelero transformed a historic farm into a peaceful retreat with lush gardens and an organic vineyard. Blending his Spanish culinary heritage with global expertise, Luis oversees sustainable practices that produce wines reflecting the region's unique terroir.  Located in Big Valley, Kelseyville, Lake County, the region offers exceptional winegrowing conditions. Surrounded by Clear Lake and the Mayacamas and Konocti mountains, Big Valley’s vineyards thrive at 1,326 to 1,418 feet, benefiting from intense UV light, cool breezes, and fertile soils. These conditions make it ideal for Rhone varietals like Syrah, resulting in elegant, balanced wines.

No sulfites added.  Small-lot fermentation preserves the unique character of individual vineyard blocks, while a pre-fermentation cold soak enhances vibrant color, aromatics, and soft tannins with pump-overs ensure balance, avoiding aggressive tannins while highlighting the fruit's intensity. Malolactic fermentation.  After primary fermentation, the wine was aged in neutral french oak for 9 months, and underwent full malo-lactic fermentation. This wine was racked before bottling, with no filtration or fining. No sulfites were during the aging and bottling process.

Pair this Syrah with a big plate of pasta with a tomato-based sauce, meatballs and loads of cheese.  This wine will do well with fresh burrata of fried mozzarella sticks.  Keep it mediterranean with lamb gyros and feta.  For a lighter meal, look toward caprese salad or szechuan chicken.