Madson Wines - ASCONA Vineyard Syrah Santa Cruz Mountains 2021 750ml (12.9% abv)
only 125 cases produced!
Located at ~2500 feet of elevation in the South Skyline region of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Ascona Vineyard is farmed with dedicated organic practices. The soils are ancient marine sedimentary deposits of loosely consolidated sandstone and siltstone, with an average southwest exposure. During the day, Ascona is perched above the daytime marine layer while fog and cool Pacific breezes prevail overnight. This strong diurnal temperature variation permits phenolic ripening and stem maturation while preserving fresh natural acidity.
a touch darker than then Kessler VY Syrah, with some graphite,
95 pts Wine Enthusiast 93 Decanter 91 Vinous
Aromas of fresh blueberry, violets & dried herbs. This palate leans into the bright reds of Montmorency cherry and currant. Savory, wild-game, and pepper notes balance the fruit. Pair with mushroom ravioli and good company.
There's an approachable layer of blueberry on the nose of this bottling, but it's the tense earth and herb elements, from forest duff to asphalt, that are most alluring. The palate is crisp, bright and tightly wound, and should relent a bit with time to showcase stunningly pure fruit.
90 POINTS: R. PARKER - ... After decanting and coaxing, blackberry, dried cranberry and black olive aromas appear. The texture is brisk and agile, with a finish of quenching bright fruits and grippy but fine tannins
Syrah from these mountains can be magical and unique, as this bottling demonstrates. Fresh aromas of pomegranate, sumac, melon and cinnamon are juicy on the nose. The palate is tense in structure yet generous in red-fruit flavors, as zesty acidity pumps long after the finish. *Editors' Choice
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farming/cellar: Fermented 100% whole cluster using native yeasts. We taste ferments daily to assess the progress of maceration and extraction. With the primary fermentation complete, we pressed the wine into neutral French oak barrels and bottled it after 9 months. This wine is unfined and unfiltered, please expect some solids in the bottle. We made this wine thoughtfully to show itself best with age. Enjoy now or cellar 8 - 15 years for savoring at its peak.
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