Bedrock Wine Co. Bien Nacido Vineyard 'X-Block' Syrah 2018

'Our second vintage from this iconic, cool-climate site in Santa Maria Valley. Originally planted to Riesling on its own roots in 1973, this block was top-worked to Syrah in 1986 at the behest of Rhone Ranger legend Bob Lindquist (whose winery was located on the vineyard). Since that point it has made some of the archetypical Syrahs of California, made by other California legends like Randall Graham and future legends like Sashi Moorman at Piedrassasi (that’s right, I said it, and not just because we share an alma mater). Planted on calcerous, limestone-derived soils, this vineyard is incredible not just for its terroir but also because it is the only site where I have seen truly physiologically ripe, dimpling Syrah fruit at under 22 brix. The result is a wine of remarkable restraint and elegance, full of pepper and violet and possessing a remarkably lacy texture for Syrah. The wine was vinified in several small oak tanks with whole-cluster percentages ranging from 40% to 100%. Elevage was carried out predominately in large format barrels to retain precision and perfume. Oh, and this finished at 12.5% alcohol." - Bedrock Wine Co