Winemaker's Notes
Surrounded by the mysterious shadows of the Sixth Sense, this velvety Syrah opens with aromas of ripe blackberry, boysenberry, and fig laced with dark chocolate and allspice. Full bodied with noticeable tannins, flavors of black raspberry, coffee bean, and tobacco are layered throughout the lingering finish
John's Notes
The nose was filled with an expressive combination of juicy blackberry, purple plum, and black cherry with complementing highlights of baking spice, cigar box, and campfire. The palate did not disappoint with its plush black fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, cigar box, and fine-grained tannins all brought together with a supple mouthfeel and persistent finish. Quite enjoyable
Nerdy Details
Winemaker: Michael David Winery, winemaker Jeff Farthing
- We’ve been farming this soil since the 1860’s and cultivating wine grapes since the early 20th century. Our founders, brothers Michael and David Phillips, are 5th generation grape growers who have raised their families in the vineyard, and now the 6th generation has joined the team, Mike’s son Kevin and daughter Melissa
- With Michael’s son Kevin continuing the Phillips grape growing tradition into the 6th generation, this Syrah vineyard was one of the first he tended to as Vineyard Manager of Michael David Winery
- We, more than most, understand the importance of leaving it better than you found it for future generations. Our family legacy and love of Lodi drive our focus on sustainability
Variety: 80% Syrah, 18% Petite Sirah, 2% Cinsault
Region: Lodi, California
Climate/Vintage:
- Considered part of California’s Central Valley, Lodi is located east of the very large Sacramento Delta, and accordingly receives the cooling breeze influence from the San Francisco Bay that moderate its hot Mediterranean climate
Viticulture/Winemaking:
- The soils in Lodi are deep, they’re fertile, and with the full sunshine, this grape produces very fleshy, lush wines – some of the best Syrah grapes from which to make wine
- Planted in 1982, this vineyard, located just a hop, a skip and a jump from the winery, is one of the earliest plantings of Syrah in California
- After fermenting, the wine is aged for 16 months in French oak (60% new, 40% used)
- The “medium plus toast” of French oak gives it a toasty, charred, barbecue flavor while the “medium” toasted barrels give a little more of the sweetness, coconut, and vanilla flavors
Alcohol: 15.0%
pH: 3.57
Pairs Well With: Barbecued bone-in pork, lightly charred steak, Gouda cheese
Reviews
Wine Enthusiast (90): Delicious and mouthfilling, this full-bodied wine is drenched in jammy blackberry and blueberry flavors on a rather soft and easy texture. The saturated fruitiness stays on the palate through a lingering finish. Jim Gordon
