Patrick makes truly gentle wines. His wine style is delicate and pretty, like dew. This wine falls in line with that. There is a pretty nose of deep cherry cola, fennel pollen, white pepper, coffee and dark chocolate. The palate is tender and kind with blue fruit, plum and boysenberry. This wine has a great balance of tannin and acid- both are present and neither are screaming. There are savory notes and silky suave tannins.
The grapes were fermented with indigenous yeasts on whole clusters, and a small percentage of Viognier for an aromatic lift, then pressed to third use and neutral French oak for 18 months of elevage. Unfined and unfiltered, so vegan.
69 cases produced.
2019 Quigley Family Syrah
$48.00
Situated at 2,500 feet of elevation in decomposing sandstone, this terraced block is planted to 5 different clones of Syrah looking out over forested groves and streams near the northern terminus of the Mendocino County AVA. You may remember from Patrick’s first offer that he works with Alder Springs Vineyard, along with several other Ownroot winemakers. Alder Springs is the vineyard that inspired Patrick to start his own brand, and he always wanted to make Syrah from that vineyard. In 2019 Stu finally had some fruit for him.
Just 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the site is an ecological gem as well as the ideal place to grow grapes. The hilly landscape climbs to 4,000 feet and offers nearly perfect growing conditions: bright sun, cool nights, phenomenal low-vigor soils. Since 1993 they have planted 140 acres of grapes at elevations ranging from 1,700 to 2,700 feet. In the winter they get up to 2 feet of snow, and it is generally really wild and out there place to grow amazing grapes.