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North Bar Cellars 2020 Syrah
Something Borrowed
Liz gets to run off for about 90 days each year in the fall to work crush at Barrel 42 where Kevin, the winemaker for North Bar Cellars is also the Cellar Master. So I consider Kevin one of Liz's babysitters, I am here to tell you it takes a village for that one. Those of you who have met her in the tasting room know what I mean.
So when Kevin gave Liz a small allocation of his 37 case production of this full tilt Syrah, I immediately went to work on both of them to "borrow" some (read pretty much all) of that allocation for Cellar 503. I think as you enjoy this wine in the glass you can agree that it was well worth the machinations.
Kevin says that this will be his last vintage making wine, which breaks all of our hearts. So let's raise this glass to toast the winemakers that bring us all together.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
North Bar Cellars, Rogue Valley, Oregon
2020 Syrah
Retired lawyer turned winemaker Kevin Breck makes less than 50 cases a year. Each year he selects one ton (two barrels) of the best fruit he can find that expresses the place where it is grown. His goal: to make the best wine possible with the least amount of intervention.
Committed to the sustainability of the vineyards that grow the grapes for his wines and the winery where he produces them. Since 2019, he has sourced his grapes from the organically farmed Steelhead Run Vineyard. Barrel 42, where he makes North Bar Cellars’ wine, is organically managed. And in a small effort to reduce his winemaking carbon footprint, he also chose lighter weight bottles and beginning with the 2020 vintage has eliminated foil capsules.
TASTING NOTES: Co-fermented with a dash of Viognier, this Syrah is medium bodied with aromas of blueberry, blackberry, green peppercorns and tobacco. Sweet tannins provide a lingering finish.
Que? Syrah!
Syrah originated in the Rhone region of France. In Southern Oregon Syrah benefits from long hot days and cool nights, which allows the grapes to fully ripen without losing the acidity crucial for crafting a well-balanced wine. Our 2020 Syrah comes from 22-year-old vines planted along the banks of the Applegate River.
Remember: whatever will be, will be.
Wine Dork Stats:
VINEYARD: Steelhead Run
HARVESTED: September 30, 2020
CLONES: Hermitage, 877, 470; Viognier
BRIX: 24.4
pH: 3.44
TA: 6.7
ALC: 13.6.%
AGING: 20 months in 92-gallon neutral oak
CASES PRODUCED: 37
Applegate Valley, Southern Oregon
A Cellar 503 selection in June 2024, Something Old, New, Borrrowed & Blue Applegate Valley | Syrah
