Amapola Creek
2007 Syrah

The Vineyard

Our Syrah is organically grown on a small parcel of land located 900 feet above Sonoma Valley on a sun-washed western slope of the Mayacamas range. Bobcat Run takes its name from a large resident feline who treats us to an occasional sighting. This block is part of our 100-acre ranch, which borders and shares red, iron-oxide volcanic soils with our neighbor, the highly acclaimed Monte Rosso Vineyard, source of superb wines for well over a century. A site ideally suited for growing Syrah, Bobcat Run lies in a fairly cool hollow open to the southwest, and its rows run east/west for good sun and warmth without excessive exposure.

Vintage

Three cool weeks in April offset an early start to the 2007 growing season. May began very warm, cooled markedly, then warmed up again, resulting in a modest fruit set. Temperatures were ideal through June, and after a few days just over 100°F. around the Fourth of July, pleasant summer weather resumed with moderate days, mild nights and adequate humidity despite a dry year. When heat returned in late August, it was not extreme, and most of September was quite mild, resulting in long hang time and smooth sailing at the winery. The 2007 vintage was simply superb, yielding wines with fully ripe flavors and mature tannins.

Wine

Painstaking organic farming and finely-tuned crop levels on our estate vines gave us a phenomenal Syrah, one we would be very pleased to make every year. It happens that 2007 was the first crush at our new Amapola Creek facility, and what a spectacular way to start. This wine was punched down entirely by hand and put into 40% new Ermitage barrels with the balance in seasoned French oak. Ink black with a dark purple edge, this intense Syrah offers effusive aromas of wonderfully ripe plums, smoked meats and deli spices with hints of anisette. On the mouth, it is succulent and seamless, with complex layers of black plum, boysenberry and meaty flavors, smooth tannins and a trace of cloves on the impeccably balanced, enduring finish.

This wine is unfined and unfiltered. Drink now or hold for 10-plus years.

$45.00 per bottle

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