2002 Syrah Grapes

Syrah is a red grape variety, grown particularly in the northern Rhone, Languedoc and in Australia (where it is known as Shiraz).  When vinified on its own, Syrah can produce top-quality wines, with a peppery, spicy flavour, sometimes smoky, and often long lived.  Syrah is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to make superb, characterful varietal wine.

Domaine Sainte Rose  green harvested all of the Syrah during July 2002 in order to produce low yields of concentrated, full-flavoured fruit.  The Syrah was harvested by hand on the 27th of September when the grapes registered 14.5 Baumé and had an acidity content of 4.5 grams/litre H2S04. 

The Syrah was macerated for 3 weeks in order to extract flavour and colour, and a portion of the Syrah was oak-aged.

Domaine Sainte Rose produced three Syrah based products from the 2002 vintage:

La Garrigue- A special blend of  Syrah, Grenache and Carignan

Le Soleil du Sud Cabernet Sauvignon / Syrah- A concentrated blend of barrel aged Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Le Pinacle Syrah- A rich and powerful wine created from very ripe Syrah grapes, which is then aged in barrels for 12 months.

Hand harvesters pick the syrah	Hand harvesters pick the syrah	A porter empties his hotte á vendage (back basket) into a trailer	A bin of Syrah	A bin of syrah
Syrah in the destemmer