1999 Fetzer Syrah

ACID/pH: .62/3.86 ALCOHOL: 13.0% RESIDUAL SUGAR: .05% BOTTLED: 12/99 RELEASE DATE: 3/00 CASES PRODUCED: 60,000 SUGG. RETAIL (CA): $10.99

WINEMAKER NOTES
This is the first release of a Syrah by Fetzer Vineyards in their Premium Varietal collection. With America's growing interest in the varietal, creating a reasonably priced Syrah of very good quality became an exciting new challenge for the Fetzer winemaking team.

1998 was a bit of a challenge for winegrowers, though quality from the vintage was Good to Very Good overall. Rains in spring kept conditions cool through June. The cool summer meant that grapes had more time on the vines to ripen and gain complexity, and, thankfully, a big burst of heat in October pushed sugar levels to desired amounts.

The 1998 Fetzer Syrah is a rich, dark purple color. In the nose, ripe plum and candied blackberry aromas mingle with floral notes, subtle anise, vanilla, and cola berry. On the palate the wine is richly textured, full of ripe plum and blackberry fruit with smoky oak, soft vanilla and round tannins. The weight of the wine is medium heavy, with a long finish, exhibiting medium-heavy tannins. The wine is perfect for enjoying upon release and for the next five years.

GRAPE SOURCING
Fetzer Vineyards Syrah is sourced from throughout the state's key winegrowing regions. The grapes were harvested in October 1998, at an average sugar of 23.2° Brix. Small amounts (4% each) of Zinfandel, Sangiovese and Petite Syrah were added to the blend to add structure and a spicy note to the finished wine.

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS
Enjoy the Fetzer 1998 Syrah with pepper steak, grilled chicken sauced with Mediterranean flavors, and hearty braised veal and pork dishes

AGING
After initial fermentation and racking, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. The wine was then aged for ten months in a combination of new to three-year-old mostly American oak barrels. The balance of new (25%) and used (75%) barrels allows the winemaker to create fuller body and richness and create smoother tannin structure while keeping the oak in balance with the wine's character.