100 cases produced

"An elegant and expressive Syrah from the wind-swept Petaluma Gap. Well defined flavors of Damson plum, black cherry and cassis are supported by savory notes of olive, black tea, and dried herbs. Brilliant acidity, deep flavor concentration, and fine-grained tannin make for a long, textured finish"

Reviews

94 points. John Gilman, View from the Cellar
“The La Cruz Vineyard was planted back in 1989 by Ted Lemon, of Littorai fame. The vineyard is farmed organically with biodynamic principles. The wine itself came in at 12.5 percent octane in 2021, with the standard Model Farm cellar protocol of native yeasts, including seventy percent whole clusters and elevage in neutral oak puncheons for a year and a half prior to bottling. The older vines give this bottling a bit more depth on both the nose and palate, with the bouquet wafting from the glass in a complex blend of red and black raspberries, smoked meats, bonfire, lovely range of spices, a superb base of soil, sweet stem tones and a floral topnote redolent of peonies. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and nicely soil-driven, with a superb core of fruit, fine-grained tannins, excellent balance and a long, complex and very refined young finish. This is going to be a dynamite glass of syrah when it is fully mature! 2035-2075+."

Cellar Notes

There is a beautiful richness and depth to the fruit from La Cruz Vineyard, and careful pick decisions are necessary to preserve the purity and balance of the finished wine. Harvest between September 9th and 17th, the Noir selection was picked first. True to name, Noir brings dark fruit and structure which act as the backbone of the wine. The Alban selection provides red-fruited freshness, bright acidity, and is perfect for whole-cluster fermentation. Together, these contrasting components blend beautifully and build a wine of depth, purity, and freshness.

Farmed using organic practices. 100% native fermentation, no additions, 70% whole cluster fermented, aged 18 months in large, 500L Puncheons, bottled unfined. (12.5% alc), 100 cases produced.

Vineyard Notes

La Cruz Vineyard was planted in 1989 by Ted Lemon for the Keller Family. Located at the southeastern end of the Petaluma Gap appellation, La Cruz is one of the farthest vineyards from the namesake ‘Gap’ where the wind and fog funnel in from the ocean every afternoon. This slight change in climate from the rest of the appellation affords the vines extend sunshine and a bit of extra warmth, leading to deeper, richer fruit while still maintaining the trademark freshness that defines Syrah from the Petaluma Gap. We find the wines from this site to be distinct counterpoint to our ‘Estate’ Petaluma Gap Syrah.

• Hillside vineyard in the South Eastern Petaluma Gap Appellation
• South/Southwest facing slope
• A mix of gravely loam soils and clay
• Strictly organic and Biodynamic farming
• 50% Noir selection, 50% Alban
• Noir harvested 9/8, Alban harvested 9/17
• 70% Whole Cluster fermented
• Raised in 2 Neutral French Oak Puncheons
• 12.5 % Alc / 3.8 pH / 5.9 TA

2021 94 John Gilman, View from the Cellar
2020 Wildfires, La Cruz Vineyard Syrah not produced in this vintage
2019 94 John Gilman, View from the Cellar, 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
2018 93+ John Gilman, View from the Cellar, (91-93) Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media