2021 Lindquist Family "Z" Block Syrah
This wine is 100% Syrah from Z Block at Bien Nacido Vineyard. Z Block is the first hillside planting at Bien Nacido, first planted in 1992, with the first crop in 1994…I’ve been making Syrah from this block every year since. It is situated in a perfect southwest facing hillside bowl with rocky, clay loam, well drained soil. It is planted with the Estrella River clone.
2021 was an outstanding vintage, cooler than normal with perfect weather during the growing season. The crop level was smaller than normal, so the grapes ripened on the early side and were harvested on October 11th at 24.5° brix, 3.35 pH and 6.3 acidity…great balance!
The grapes were fermented in a small open top fermenter with 40% whole clusters, and manual punch downs twice daily. After pressing, the wine was transferred to Francois Freres Burgundy barrels for aging…50% new oak, 25% one year old, and 25% two-year-old French oak barrels. I’ve been using these same barrels for the Z Block since that first 1994 vintage. It was kept in those barrels for the first year, before racking, blending, and returning to neutral French oak barrels for an additional 8 months. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration in June 2023.
This wine is classic cool climate Syrah from a cool vintage. The aromas show hints of white pepper, dried raspberries and fresh herbs. The flavors are full bodied, fruit forward with modest tannins. The elegance and balance of this wine will support aging in the cellar for many years.
Bob Lindquist
November 2024
*95 Antonio Galloni Vinous - "The 2021 Syrah Bien Nacido Z Block Syrah - The Original Hillside - is a sweeping, dramatic, deeply expressive wine. Silky contours wrap around a core of blue/purplsih fruit, licorice, lavender, mocha, spice and black pepper. A touch of whole clusters add fragrance throughout."
