Line Shack Monterey County Syrah (6)

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Thanks for coming out, everybody! If you’ll just move close to the starting line, and sit on those bleachers? Because today’s the day we finally find out which of these bottles of the 2009 Line Shack Monterey County Syrah six pack is the all-time bicycle racing champion!

Yes, yes, we know about the controversial last minute decision under which all the actual contestants were disqualified, but, honestly, we of the Non-Trademarked Name Bicycle Association figure this step really just saves everyone some time. Really, take a good look at the human contestants and you’ll agree with us, we feel.

On the other hand, this 2009 Syrah? It’s full of things we KNOW about! Dark fruit flavors, aromas of blueberries and cherries and plums mixed with black licorice and mocha. And it’s made by a winery that cares enough to make sure nothing bad gets in their wine. Can you honestly say that about the sort of humans who currently compete in bike races?

Okay, enough talk, now. Let’s line up the contestants… ready… set… GO! And, out of the gate it’s… it’s… okay, the third bottle just rolled forward a little, so we’ve got our golden jersey for tomorrow, I think! But with nineteen days to go, it’s still anybody’s race, so stay tuned, won’t you?

Please?

• Vineyard: Ing Vineyard
• Appellation: San Antonio Valley / Monterey
• Varietal Composition: 100% Syrah
• Harvest Brix: 26.8 degrees
• Alcohol: 14.9%
• Total Acidity: 0.58g/100ml
• pH: 3.68
• Cases Produced: 750

The grapes come from the Ing Vineyard which has a shaley loam topsoil laced with chalk and limestone.  3 different clones were used from the vineyard; Estrella, Syrah Noir and 877.  After a 24-hour cold soak, they were fermented to dryness and aged in 2-3 year old French and American Oak for 18 months.

Woot