2020 J. Lohr Estates South Ridge Syrah
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Wine Enthusiast, November 2022
Presented by Brenden Wood, Red Winemaker
Carefully crafted in a food-friendly, balanced style, J. Lohr Estates wines flavorfully reflect their Monterey and Paso Robles origins.
The 2020 J. Lohr South Ridge Syrah displays varietal aromas of black cherry and fresh blueberry, accented by black tea, bergamot, and lilac. The juicy yet spicy structure of this Northern Rhône cultivar is lengthened and lifted by the inclusion of Grenache and Viognier.
— Brenden Wood, red winemaker & Steve Peck, vice president of winemaking
Wine Details
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Composition Blend
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92%
Syrah
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5%
Grenache Noir
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3%
Viognier
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Origin
Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, CA
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Cellaring
Enjoy now for its fresh berry character; with proper cellaring, will improve through 2026.
6 Years -
Food Pairings
Pair with a slow-roasted pork shoulder and herbed potatoes. For simple, casual fare, try a classic BLT.
Rich Paso Robles berry and plum married to Rhone-style spice and structure presents a perfect example of a Paso Robles Syrah wine.
Vintage
Overall, precipitation for the 2020 season in Paso Robles was on par with its 25-year historical average. Springtime enjoyed temperate daytime temperatures which allowed vines to have good flower bloom and canopy growth. Fruit set was modest, after two previous years with above average crop loads. The healthy canopies allowed the vines to withstand late summer heatwaves with little desiccation.
Vineyards
The J. Lohr Estates South Ridge Syrah is grown on a combination of lime-laden and gravelly soils, which rein in Syrah’s rangy growth potential. Twenty percent of this fruit was grown in the Adelaida District, which infuses the blend with aromatic white pepper and sandalwood notes. Thirty-five percent is from blocks in the the warmer Estrella District, where Syrah flavors trend toward black cherry and black tea leaf. The balance is from our high-elevation Beck Vineyard in the Creston District sub-AVA, contributing exceptionally dark color and blue fruit notes.
