Appellation: Anderson Valley & El Dorado Vineyard: Broken Leg & Wylie Varietal: Syrah Clone: Durrel & Heritage 1 Age: 25 & 12 years Elevation: 650 & 2800 feet Soil: Decomposed sandstone, loamy clay & rocky decomposed grantie Yield: 1.6 - 2.1 tons/acre
Harvested:Oct 27 &
Sept 15 2006 Pressed:Nov 24 & Oct 10 2006 Blend:97% Syrah, 3% Viognier
(Broken Leg co-ferm) Maceration: 27-29 days in open top wood vats Barrel aging: 11.5 mos. in 1-3 yr
FO barrels Bottled:November 13, 2007 Production:265 cases Release date:Spring 2008
The Recluse is what we are calling our Broken Leg Vineyard Syrah in 2006. The name pays homage to the
brown recluse spider that bit Jared during a pre-harvest vineyard visit which landed him in the hospital
having emergency surgery. Perhaps because of that spider or maybe it was just destiny, we decided to
experiment with blending some of our warmer climate Syrah into the cool climate Broken Leg. It didn’t
take much to result in a richer wine of superior balance and character. Our final blend was 91% Broken
Leg Syrah (which was co-fermented with 3% Broken Leg Viognier) and 9% Wylie Vineyard Syrah from the
Sierra Foothills. The vineyard lots were vinified discreetly until the final blend was created.
Both primary and MLF occurred without inoculation. Broken Leg stayed sur lie for 12 ½ months until
we racked to tank. Wylie was racked after 10 months and returned to barrel until chosen for the blend.
A potpourri of violet, jasmine, dried fruits and fresh dark fruits like cherry and blueberry
immediately excite the olfactory. With a moment to ponder the bouquet evolves to hickory, fresh cut
herbs, black tea and meaty notes interlaced with cocoa. This impeccably balanced Syrah includes a
spectacular finish that leaves the palate wanting and should just get better until at least 2015.
