2023 Syrah, Rancho Réal Vineyard

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, The Language of Yes project is not intended to try to slavishly replicate the wines of Southern France, but rather to seek to find and amplify the unique characteristics of our climats and terroirs in the Central Coast of California, (at the same time seeking inspiration from our noble Gallic equivalents). Having said that, there is the most remarkable “taste-alike” correspondence between this wine and the Platonic goût de Provence - a singular ubiquitous balsamique (resinous) quality imparted some say by the local underbrush, or garrigue - lavender, rosemary and sage, notably — but perhaps also by a proximal pine forest. In any event, the wine is marked by its lively acidity, vivid (let’s call it pink) pepperiness, with strong suggestion of black olive, violets, licorice and white flowers. On the palate, perhaps slightly angular upon opening but softening considerably with time. The wine will greatly benefit from decanting and a healthy exposure to air.