2021 Ebby James Syrah

Syrah can be a complicated character, but we have long been captivated by its potential for beguiling aromatics, velvety strength, and, sometimes, rustic charm. Arguably, Syrah is the most diverse and unpredictable varietal wine in the market because it generally provides a telling expression of the site where it was grown and the approach of the winemaker. In that context, our goal with Ebby James is to offer a pure expression of the Joseph Phelps clone planted in deep, wind-blown loess soils at higher elevations within the Walla Walla Valley, where natural acidity is preserved at full ripening.

 

Vineyard

Some of the most heralded Syrah plantings in the Walla Walla Valley are in Les Collines Vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, just east of town. Block 27a Syrah from Les Collines takes the lead at 62% in the 2021 Ebby James, our second vintage of this wine. The remainder (38%) comes from an Armstrong Family estate vineyard, Wheat Ridge, in the Mill Creek area of Walla Walla, approximately 7¼ miles north and slightly east of Les Collines.

 

Both sites are planted to the Jospeh Phelps clone; Block 27a at Les Collines was planted in 2015 and Wheat Ridge was planted in 1998. Both are on well-drained, wind-blown loess soils and both are spur pruned with bilateral cordons trained to a VSP trellis. Finally, both sites are relatively high elevation with Les Collines block 27 at around 1,175 feet and the Syrah at Wheat Ridge at 1,350 feet above sea level.

 

Winemaking

Blend: 100% Syrah, Joseph Phelps Clone.

Vinification: 100% hand picked, cluster sorted, and destemmed –whole berry with no crushing; a mix of hand punch downs and gentle pump overs.

Aged: 18 months in neutral and second-fill French Oak barriques (228L).

Racked only once prior to final blending.

Bottled unfined and unfiltered on April 24th, 2023.

 

Tasting Notes

The wine is dark crimson red in the glass and quite dense. The nose is wild with dark blue fruits, peppercorn, and tobacco leaf, with notes of sage and bacon fat. The flavor profile follows with dark fruits, cured meat, and hints of lavender, sage, and a suggestion of black coffee. Dense, round, and full-bodied on the palate, the wine is very approachable in its youth but is supported by firm tannins that persist and contribute to its generous length. Decant and enjoy in 2024 through 2028.

 

Technical Details

200 cases produced

14.5% ABV

4.01 pH

5.95 g/L TA

Harvested September 9th and 10th.