Home › 2009 J. Lohr Gesture Syrah

2009 J. Lohr Gesture Syrah

in

The 2009 growing season in Paso Robles was warmer and drier than average, followed by a heavy rainfall event in mid-October that attenuated ripening of late-maturing varietals. This vintage followed the third consecutive year of below-normal winter rainfall in the Paso Robles AVA, with just under 7 inches recorded at our home ranch weather station. Following a brief heat wave at the end of August, this early-ripening Syrah block saw Brix levels rise due to dehydration of the fruit. We patiently waited out the heat and were rewarded with three weeks of additional hangtime before picking at the onset of a second heat spike in late September.

VINEYARDS
This Syrah is from Terra Bella Vineyard, located within the Adelaida subdistrict of the Paso Robles AVA, at an elevation of 1,800 feet. This super steep south-facing Block 6 is planted to Syrah clone 877, farmed to just one cluster per shoot and is prone to rapid sugar accumulation and intense flavor concentration.

TECHNICAL DATA

Appellation:

Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County
Composition: 94% Syrah, 6% Grenache
Harvest Dates:  September 17, 2009
Harvest Process:  Hand-harvested to half ton bins prior to destemming and berry sorting on Vaucher Beguet Mistral system
Harvest chemistries: 28.4° Brix, 0.64 g/100ml TA, 3.47 pH
Vinification:  
Yeast: Lallemand RC212 yeast
Fermentation:  Fermented in 10 ton open top tank
Temperature: Cold soak 5 days at 55°F, then fermented to 90°F peak temperature
Maceration: 9 days on skins
Malolactic:  100% malolactic, Viniflora Oenos
Maturation: 16 months in barrel
Barrel type: French oak, 36% new
Bottle aging: Bottled in March 2011
Bottling chemistries:
pH: 3.42
Total Acidity: 0.68 g/100ml
Alcohol: 15.16 % by volume
Res. Sugar: Dry
Cellaring: Delicious now, but can be cellared for 6 to 8 years.
Cases produced: 225

Winemaker's Comments
“The 2009 J. Lohr Gesture Syrah shows incredible density of color and leads with an overwhelming bright, jammy fruit aroma. The delicate oak signature reveals white chocolate and a touch of sage. Flavors are dense on the palate, with soft tannins and a lingering minerality.”
—Steve Peck, red winemaker

Food Pairings
Mussels with saffron crème or classic duck confit.

Vineyard

Price: $30.00 750ml

Wine Fact Sheet: 
application/pdf icon2009 J. Lohr Gesture Syrah Wine Fact Sheet Short