2022 PlumpJack Winery Syrah, Napa Valley, USA

Winemaker Notes

Our Syrah grapes are grown in Los Carneros, the southernmost AVA of Napa Valley, just north of the San Pablo Bay at the northern lobe of the San Francisco Bay. These vineyards offer dramatically cooler weather than the more northern regions of Napa Valley due to the cooling effect of the San Pablo Bay, making for exceptional growing conditions for varietals such as Syrah, Merlot, and Chardonnay. The fruit from the mountainous region of Atlas Peak is at higher elevations, which also has cooler daytime temperatures than much of the valley floor. This vineyard site is on a slope with very rocky and shallow soils, which adds stress to the vines and gives us a darker fruit profile, great concentration, and firm tannin.

Of the Syrah grapes, 46% were destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks and 25% in concrete tanks. These grapes were cold soaked for 4 days, fermented at a maximum temperature of 92°F, then pressed off skins after 7 days. The remaining 29% were whole-cluster fermented in open-top tanks and barrels, fermented at a maximum temperature of 87°F, then pressed off skins after 8 days. The wine was then transferred to French Oak Burgundy barrels and underwent malolactic fermentation. The wine was kept on heavy lees for several months and stirred once a month. The coopers used include Francois Freres, Meyrieux, and Sirugue—68% were new barrels. The wine aged in these barrels for 18 months before bottling.