"Despite being less than one acre, the Hermitage clone at Crane Vineyard continues to be the dominant force in this vineyard-designated syrah. Classic varietal aromas lead the way: dark fruits, lilac, cedar, charcuterie and herbs de Provençe. Dense flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry and black cherry expand with accents of smoked game, dark earth, graphite and cardamom. Grainy tannins bring the wine to a resounding conclusion. A tour-de-force syrah from one of the first vineyards John planted in the Oak Knoll District nearly 25 years ago."

Vintage notes: A perfect confluence of conditions brought the Crane Vineyard syrah to an impressive conclusion in 2019. Plentiful winter rainfall, a warm summer and a mild harvest season paved the way for a balance of richness and vibrancy, including the savory cooler-climate syrah qualities that make this wine such a standout.

In the Vineyard:
Year Planted: 1999
Varietal: Syrah
Clone: 470 (Hermitage)
Sub Appellation: Oak Knoll District
Vineyard: Crane (3.5 acres)
Harvest Date: October 14th, 2019

In the Cellar:
Bottling: 214 cases produced
Barrel Aging: 20 months in 60% NFO (Tremeaux, Meyrieux, Sirugue, TQ, Seguin Moreau and Demptos)