2010 J. Lohr Estates South Ridge Syrah

2010 was the coolest vintage Paso Robles has seen in a decade. With winter

rainfall 50% above normal, and growing degree days well below average, there were concerns that this vintage may not completely ripen. The cool forecast provided an ideal challenge for the newest evolution in our vineyard irrigation strategy, which involved absolutely zero irrigation for an extended period of time beginning in mid-June, just after fruitset. Our weekly monitoring of vine water status allowed us to precisely determine when soil profiles had dried out and whether vines were in need of watering. Initially, we expected that a three to five week “dry-down” would be possible, but were impressed that most of our resourceful Syrah did not reach significant water stress until a full two months had passed without irrigation. Our dramatic approach in the vineyard kept berry size small and switched vines from a vegetative state to a reproductive state early in the season, driving early seed maturity and dramatic flavor maturity that is evident in this wine.