2008 Syrah Originals

"Two thousand eight was probably the most difficult vintage we've ever experienced in terms of the work that was required," Sashi Moorman told me. Spring frosts made for low yields to begin with, and severe heat spikes in September (over 110 degrees in some spots) caused young vines to shut down, affecting the ripening of the fruit. Yields were below a ton per acre in some areas, which is below the threshold of economic sanity, by the way. The Stolpman vines are among the oldest plantings of syrah in the region, and their deep root structure means less need for irrigation and better mineral uptake, Moorman said. The vineyards benefit from exposures and elevations that ameliorate some of the extreme heat that buffets the area, added Moorman, which means that the wines can preserve freshness to compensate for the typical ripe fruit character of the region.