Vineyard
A remote site in the foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains. The vines are grown at 5,000 feet on granite and gneiss derived sandy loam, embedded with gravel and cobbles in clay and limestone. The farming practices at Red Tree Ranch are organic, animal and insect friendly and the vineyard is irrigated only when necessary. The ranch is situated in the middle of a riparian wildlife corridor and is home to desert tortoises, deer, bobcats, turkeys, javelina, owls and other birds of prey.The Grapes
The Syrah vines were planted in 2010 and farmed organically since 2020. The practicing organic grapes grow creekside, in the cool mountain air surrounded by groves of oak, sycamore, cottonwood, cypress and juniper. Extreme diurnal shifts of hot days and cool nights allow the grapes to preserve aromas and natural acidity. Because of the cooler climate in the Chiricahua Foothills, the Syrah grapes ripen more slowly, allowing for longer “hang time” and greater acid development.King of Diamonds 2023
VARIETY Syrah
BRIX at Harvest 20
PH in Bottle 3.66
LOCATION Chiricahua Foothills, Arizona
VINEYARD Red Tree Ranch
SOIL TYPE Granite and gneiss derived sandy loam, embedded with gravel cobbles in clay and limestone
PRODUCTION 59 cases
ALCOHOL 11.5%
COLLAB Label art by Samantha Vo
Vinification
The Syrah grapes were hand picked with the help of friends and transported to Arizona Stronghold in Camp Verde, Arizona for vinification. Half the grapes were destemmed, the other half left whole cluster and fermented (semi-carbonic) with native yeasts on the skins/stems for 11 days with several punch downs a day before being pressed off at dryness into two neutral oak barrels. The wine was aged sur lie for ~7 months with no bâtonnage. Racked once before bottling. Unfined, unfiltered with 20 PPM of added SO2.Expression
This wine has the characteristic typically seen with cool climate Syrah. Spice, wild blackberry and cracked pepper complement the aromatics. There is also some “stemminess,” along with scents of bubblegum and banana. On the pallet, blueberries, smoked wood, tobacco, green peppercorn and spices stand out. It is soft, juicy, fruit-forward with a medium/long finish. The flavors of the wine come out nicely when slightly chilled.