2008 Holus Bolus Syrah “Rim Rock Vineyard”
Rim Rock is a small vineyard that lies about 10 miles north of Santa Maria Valley and about 8 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. The vineyard is mostly planted to Pinot Noir but there are a few lone acres of Syrah that produce a compelling wine each vintage. The vineyard site and climate are marginal, cool and windy conditions give way to extremely low yields of around 1 ton per acre. Rim Rock is also the last vineyard to fully ripen, always harvested well into November. The conditions all lead to a wine with aromas of crushed black pepper and violets and a firm, full bodied mouthful. Only 75 cases produced, bottled in March of 2011 after 28 months in 350 liter barrels.