2023 Estate Syrah

• Varieties:
  100% Syrah
• Appellation:
  Templeton Gap District - Paso Robles
• Average brix at harvest:
  25. 0
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.9%
• Acidity:
  0.68g/100ml
• pH:
  3.69
• Residual sugar:
  0.02g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  June 27, 2025
• Cases produced:
  95

Growing conditions:
Finally! Mother nature ended the drought with 200% of normal rainfall, Combined with a cool spring and warm (not hot) summer led to the latest harvest ever at Victor Hugo! Judicious thinning allowed the grapes to be harvested at optimum maturity producing beautiful wines.

Winemaking:
We crushed into a SS fermentor, then added D254 yeast 48 hours later. the must was pumped twice daily for 14 days prior to pressing. After malolactic fermentation, this Syrah was aged in sew and seasoned French and Hungarian oak barrels for 20 months prior to bottling.

Tasting notes:
Intriguing aromas of pink rose petals and ripe blueberry predominate with subtle oak notes in the background. This wine has layers of supple round tannins, piquant acidity and integrated oak followed by an extended, rich finish.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable now, this elegant Syrah will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 4-7 years in the bottle with a plateau of best drinkability from 2029-2034.

Food selection:
This Syrah will enhance a large array of robust Mediterranean cuisine with a particular affinity for elegant flavor-forward courses Rack of lamb and pork loin are excellent pairings.