Broken Leg Vineyard Syrah 2023
Anderson Valley

Tasting Notes

From the “Deep End” of Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley, this Syrah offers a refined cool-climate expression of the varietal, with lifted aromas of rasberry, blueberry, fig and plum layered with notes of cracked pepper, violets, and a hint of meat. On the palate, it balances vibrant acidity with firm tannins, giving structure without heaviness. The flavors echo the nose, showing bright red fruits, savory spice, and a subtle earthiness.

Aging and Elévage 

13 months in 50% new French Oak Puncheons

Winemaking

Our 2023 Broken Leg Vineyard Syrah was hand harvested in early in the morning to keep the grapes cool.  It was 100% destemmed with 50% of the stems put back into the tank for fermentation.  The wine had a three day cold soak before allowing native yeast fermentation to begin.  The wine was pumped over and punched down up to three times a day for 17 days.  It was then aged in 50% new French oak 500L puncheons for 13 months.  The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Vineyard

Sitting on incredibly steep terraced rows high above the town of Philo in Anderson Valley sits the Broken Leg Vineyard. A remote, gorgeous, and frighteningly steep vineyard site that was truly a work of passion from the late grower Steve Williams and his wife Jody who planted this vineyard in 1979. The vineyard gets its name from Steve who unfortunately broke his leg in the process of chasing after sheep in the vineyard.