2008 “Sonnie’s” Syrah, Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard
This wine is 100% syrah from the Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard in the Edna Valley. It is a strict barrel selection of the best 8 barrels from the vineyard in 2008. Our vineyard site, planted in 2005 in the Edna Valley (about 7 miles southeast of San Luis Obispo) is a cool, Region One growing climate, just slightly warmer than Bien Nacido Vineyard. We have been farming the Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard using biodynamic practices since day one and in 2009 the vineyard became Demeter certified. The soil is a combination of clay, gravel and quite a bit of calcareous white mudstone and fossil matter. There is also a strong volcanic aspect to the soil and quite low pH. This wine is primarily from one block (conveniently Block One!) and primarily from 2 selections of syrah from Alban Vineyard with a little bit of UCD-1 in the mix. About 30% whole clusters were used in the
fermenter and aging was 16 months in Ermitage barrels (50% new). 186 cases were bottled without fining or filtration in April 2010. What strikes me most about this wine is the depth and complexity already achieved from young vines. The wine has tremendous pepper spice with balanced savory fruit and balanced alcohol right at 14.0%. This wine shows great in its youth but please be patient with some bottles and put in the cellar for 5-8 years. This wine is named after my wonderful, beautiful mother Sonnie (Sandra Ellen Granger Lindquist), the definite matriarch of the Lindquist family.

91 pts. Wine and Spirits Magazine Feb. 2011