2023 / Willow Creek District Syzygy

The 2023 Syzygy is a blend of three Rhône varieties in perfect alignment— Grenache (45%), Mourvèdre (28%) and Syrah (27%). The nose is intricately scented with lavender, garrigue, mulberry, toasted oak and light spices. A round, supple mouthfeel offers bright flavors of black raspberry, cherry and cranberry accented with cola, caramel, earthy loam and dried herb. Soft textures gain momentum with racy acidity that lingers on a fresh, juicy finish. A distinctive blend that strikes a perfect trifecta: approachable, delicious and complex.

The 2023 Syzygy was painstakingly curated with organic farming practices, small-batch winemaking and a reverence for site expression:

A blend of Decemil’s Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre blocks
Calcareous limestone and clay loam
Elevation range of 1,015 to 1,300 feet
12 miles from the Pacific Ocean
Organically farmed vines

Vinification

A carefully crafted classic Grenache-forward GSM blend in a Châteauneuf-du-Pape style
Riper Alban Clone Grenache fruit provided structure and abundant red berry flavors to complement the darker fruit and savory flavors of the Syrah and the freshness of a less ripe Mourvèdre
Blended at the 6-month mark of varietal aging
Returned to barrels for 10 additional months of maturation
Aged for a total of 16 months in an average of 31% new oak

Analysis

Alc. 14.5%
TA .60
PH 3.52
Cases 163

2022 Willow Creek district Syrah

Tasting
Notes

The GSM blend is the sweet spot for the Paso Robles Willow Creek District. For Syzygy, we dialed back the Grenache forward ratio to 45% from 55% last year and have an almost equal ratio of Syrah and Mourvèdre. The result is a very approachable with a finesse across the palate. Syzygy saw 15-1/2 months of oak aging in a combination of 228L barrels and 500L puncheons. Syzygy averaged 31% new oak over this period.