This Syrah was grown in the Fields Family estate vineyard in the Mokelumne River sub-AVA of Lodi. Winemaker Ryan Sherman vinified it whole-cluster in bins with twice daily foot treading. Some carbonic maceration resulted from the whole-cluster treatment, producing a characteristic high-toned fruitiness to offset Syrah’s signature gravelly character. The wine was pressed to neutral French oak and aged for seven months prior to bottling.
It needs a little air to yield its charms, but then the fruit blooms forward in strawberry and currants, while sinews of wild game and cured meat give it flesh and structure. Its firm tannins flow seamlessly to an evergreen finish. This wine would be great with a mixed charcuterie plate accented with cranberry compote and walnuts.
(And let’s hear it for the low 12.5% abv.)
12.5% abv | $25 (sample)
Fields Family Wines
