Windows Estate- Petit Lot Syrah 2019

Vintage: 2019
Varietal: Syrah
Appellation: Margaret River GI
Sulphur (SO2): Free- 21ppm, Total- 69ppm
Sugar: Dry
Acid: 7.5 g/L
pH: 3.4
Production Size: 3,000 bottles
Altitude: 109m - 357.3ft
Vineyard Age: 20 Years
Residual Sugar: 0.6 g/L
Tannin: Elevated
Alcohol %: 13.5

The vines are planted in well drained loam over gravel, and maintain a finely tuned balance between rich fruit flavors and spice and peppery notes through meticulous attention to detail with regards to pruning and canopy management. Handpicked when both fruit and tannins have reached optimum ripeness, Chris has taken a very hands-off approach in the winemaking process.

Soil Type(s): Ancient laterite, clay and granite soils

As always, the aim is to let the fruit speak for itself. A small amount of our Syrah was co-fermented with a tiny proportion of Viognier, handpicked from the Eastern most point of Home block. The remaining Syrah was fermented with a parcel of whole bunches before the wine was carefully pressed off using our hand-operated basket press, with maturation occurring in French oak over a period of 12 months.

2019 in Margaret River recorded slightly cooler than average temperatures in the beginning months, certainly in contrast to the previous year. This led to a later harvest, which, similarly to 2017, didn’t commence until early March and continued for many until late April. Chris had also spent many hours in the vineyard focusing on canopy management, ensuring good airflow and consistent sun exposure among the vines. This meant a healthy vineyard with very little disease pressure, and grapes in perfect balance. Fortunately, because of Chris’ hard work in the vineyard, and lower than average crops, the whites had all been handpicked prior to the heavy rain which the region experienced. As a result, the rain energised the soil for the red varieties that ripened slowly in moderate temperatures over the following month/s. There have naturally been some comparisons to the 2017 vintage, given there are some similarities, however the yield from 2019 was inevitably lower. Struggles with both bird and bee pressure were present due to a complete absence of Marri blossom in the region. 2019 is a year where it will become apparent as to the work that was put into the vineyard, Chris has never spent so much time in the vineyard throughout harvest as he did this year, it was however necessary to ensure that only pristine quality fruit was handpicked. Despite the challenges the wines are showing qualities well known in Margaret River with whites showing a fresh acidity and good fruit intensity, and reds having a full rounded flavor, due to their ripeness before picking, and the fact they were able to wallow in the extended warm weather before picking.

Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, Skirt Steak, Duck Breast, Blueberry Coulis, Eggplant Dip

• Aussie, American, Mediterranean, Modern California