Our 2015 Syrah reflects the riper character on the 2015 vintage. The wine shows classic Rhône aromatics of pepper, roasted red meat, and savory herbs. The palate has rich layers of blue and black fruits with a hint of clove. This is my favorite wine to do pairings with because it is so versatile. Lamb and duck are obvious choices (but good ones), and it handles spice better than Cabernet. It also handles the acidity of tomatoes better than most red wines.
The wine spent 14 months in French oak, and we used 60% new barrels. With perfect varietal character coupled with great balance, this is a profound example of what New World Syrah can be. This is a wine to enjoy for the next 15 years.
Vineyard Notes
The 2015 Flanagan Syrah is our tenth vintage of this awesome wine. This site has unfailingly produced great Syrah in every different type of vintage and 2015 is no exception. The grapes are sourced from Bennett Valley and are grown on the steep hillsides of Bennett Mountain. This wine is reminiscent of the top wines from the great Hermitage region in the Rhône Valley.
The 2015 vintage brought lower crop yields and, generally, riper fruit than 2014. In fact, the crop yields in Sonoma County were lower than any year since 2005. Poor weather during fruit set in the spring was the main cause of the lower yields.