Tasting Notes from Winemaker Byron Kosuge
2006 Tobiano Syrah
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350 cases
13.5%
Fall 2007
$18/bottle
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I continue to be intrigued by what Syrah can do in our vineyard. The climate in our end of the Casablanca valley is such that the Syrah struggles to ripen every year, even in the warmest seasons. Nevertheless it always has ripe fruit flavors, great color, and good richness on the palate. It also retains its spice and floral notes, which Syrah grown in warmer climes tends to lose. I am always afraid that it won’t make it, but so far, it does every time.
Each year we cull through all the lots of Syrah in the cellar to separate them out into the two wines—Bayo Oscuro and Tobiano. In 2006, it was difficult to make the separation; pretty much all the lots were of very high quality, although some of them seemed more forward and “fruity” than others. These were the lots that formed the basis of the Tobiano blend. The 2006 Tobiano is lushly fruity, with spice and meat notes that are characteristic of the Kingston vineyard. Not much new oak is used on either Syrah bottling—I think the flavor of new oak interferes with the expression of Syrah fruit more than with any other red variety, including Pinot Noir. This year’s Tobiano is a bit more serious than previous offerings, but it is still a wine to be enjoyed, not fawned over.
Salud!
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