2013 Moto (Late Harvest Syrah)

Late Harvest Syrah Port

• Varieties:
  100% Syrah (plus brandy)
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles
• Average brix at harvest:
  33.3
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  20.7%
• Residual sugar:
  6.8 g/100 mls
• Date bottled:
  May 08, 2015
• Cases produced:
  161
• Retail Price:
  $ 32.00

Growing conditions:
PERFECT! 2013 HAD GREAT GROWING CONDITIONS WITH MINIMAL APRIL FROST, WARM DAYS/COOL NIGHTS IN JULY AND AUGUST, THEN A FULL INDIAN SUMMER IN MID-SEPTEMBER. VINEYARD YIELDS WERE NORMAL DESPITE LOW WINTER RAINFALL WHILE QUALITY APPEARS EXCELLENT DUE TO SMALL BERRY SIZE.

Winemaking:
Hand-harvested, destemmed and crushed into a stainless fermentor, then inoculated 24 hours later with d254 yeast. The must was pumped over twice daily for 7 days prior to the addition of brandy to halt fermentation. After pressing and settling, this wine was aged in French oak barrels for 17 months prior to bottling.

Tasting notes:
Intense, deep aromas of unsweetened cocoa with notes of coffee and cassis. Rich, lingering tannins complimented with spicy oak and a lingering rich finish.

Cellaring:
While delightful now, this concentrated zinfandel port will continue to develop in the bottle with proper cellaring for another 10-15 years with a plateau of best drinkability from 2020-2030.

Food selection:
Think romance!! This syrah port enhances many desserts especially chocolate or pungent cheeses. It continues to be our favorite wine for sipping by a roaring fire.