20% Off plus Free Shipping on 2008 White Hawk Syrah (retail $38)
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2008 Michael James “White Hawk Vineyard” Santa Barbara County Syrah
Situated 20 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean on Cat Canyon Road, east of the town of Los Alamos, White Hawk is widely considered to be a “Grand Cru” vineyard for syrah. The fog of the Pacific typically blankets the vineyard in the morning and cools the vines at night creating exceptional growing conditions.
Planted by Jeff Newton in 1998, White Hawk Vineyard sits on ancient sand dunes. The combination of steep slopes (15-45%) and “Arnold Sand” soil provides little capacity for water storage, creating conditions where the vines struggle to produce only 2 to 2.5 tons per acre. The result is fruit with structured, concentrated flavor.
White Hawk uses sustainable and primarily organic farming methods. We source the Estrella clone of syrah planted on 140R rootstock from a block in the upper part of the vineyard at the 1000 foot range. Our block has some incredible neighbors including Ojai Vineyard, Sine Qua Non, and Lillian — all fabulous wines.
While 2007 produced fruit that hit you over the head, the 2008 grips you with a firm bear hug. The fruit flavors and structure come together to make a wine that is enjoyable today and will continue to improve for the next 5-7 years.
WINEMAKING
Destemmed into 1 ton macro-bins and fermented using D-254 yeast after a 5-day cold soak at 50 degrees. Wine was kept on its lees until the following spring to increase complexity with regular battonage (stirring of the lees). It was racked a total of three times including for bottling. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Harvest Date: October 8, 2008
Harvest Brix: 25.2°
Harvest TA: .57 grams / 100mL
Harvest pH: 3.8
Cooperage: 17 months in 100% French oak from Hermitage and Francois Frere
Bottled: May 8, 2009
Cases: 50
Alcohol: 14.5% by volume
Retail Price: $38 per bottle. 10% off 12 bottles or more.