Satisfaction Syrah is 100% Amalie Robert Estate grown Syrah. Among our 35 acres of Pinot Noir, we have planted 0.80 acres (1,188 vines to be exact) of Syrah. This planting represents 4 clones selected for the cool Northern Rhône area of Côte Rôtie, and now Dallas, Oregon.
We grow Syrah right alongside Pinot Noir, and most of the vineyard work is very similar. The primary difference is that we have to wait until November to harvest. We think it is worth the wait.
Syrah is a very adaptive variety, and much like Pinot Noir, reflects its growing conditions. Syrah is grown in the hottest parts of the southern Hemisphere where it is known as “Shiraz” and a bit farther south into the cool climate of New Zealand as well. The entire west coast of the United States grows Syrah from California, to the warm areas of eastern Washington and now very small plantings in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
However, the birthplace of Syrah seems to be the Northern Rhône Valley. Recent DNA research shows Syrah to be a cross between Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. Both of these varieties are indigenous to France. Syrah is planted from the cool regions of the Northern Rhône where it is bottled as a single varietal, to the tip of the Southern Rhône where it is often blended with other varietals.
The Vintage: In the immortal words of Tom Petty, “Let me up, I’ve had enough.” Yeah, it was like that. Too farmin’ hot and no fall sprinkle to rehydrate the vines. No ambiguity, no uncertain terms. “Hotter than the hubs of Hell!” as Ernie’s paternal grandmother would tell you. And as farmer’s we just take it. What choice do we have? Oh sure, you can irrigate if you are making that kind of wine. Or just buy a couple cases of beer and invite over a few friends, strategically positioned in the driest part of the vineyard. The lower and especially the upper bounds of climate change have exceeded a tolerable distribution curve by several more than just a few standard deviations. Miss me yet? – Vintage 2011 channeling vintage 2007.