Terroir
Nelson is located in the Summit district of the SCM. The property was planted to chardonnay, pinot noir, and syrah in ‘99, after spending 30 years as a Christmas tree farm best known for silvertip firs, a variety that thrives at higher elevations. At 1700 ft, the vines growing in sandy loam and chunky sandstone are surrounded by redwoods and firs. The site benefits from cold, wet winters and cool to warm summers with deep diurnal shifts, great for ripening syrah while retaining high acidity. Organically farmed.

This bottling of Nelson Syrah is an homage to the great sans soufre (no sulfur added) cuvées of Franck Balthazar and Thierry Allemand in Cornas, and Jean-Michel Stephan in Côte-Rôtie. Similar to these classic examples, the ‘22 Nelson Syrah is immediately pleasurable and elegantly structured, while the wild and rustic sauvage character will develop a bit quicker than usual, thanks to no preservatives.  

Tasting
Dark purple. Explosive red and black fruits, potpourri, and smoked meat are followed by hints of redwood forest, damp earth, and black pepper. Medium bodied with bright acidity and elegant tannins.

Tech
Alcohol 12.9%
pH 3.59
100% whole cluster
Native fermentation started by a pied de cuve from the vineyard
Seven months élévage in 25% second-fill and 75% neutral French oak barrels
Two barrels • 45 cases produced
Unfined, unfiltered, no sulfur added