# North Coast Syrah (2021)

- **Producer:** Jolie Laide
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, plum, olive, violet, black pepper, blueberry, cedar, smoke, leather, tobacco

## About this wine

Jolie-Laide North Coast Syrah 2021 is a red wine from California produced by Jolie-Laide Wines. The winery's name, translating to 'pretty-ugly,' reflects a philosophy of embracing unconventional beauty. The wine is crafted by winemakers Scott and Jenny Schultz, who focus on sourcing fruit from exceptional vineyard sites. The grapes for this vintage are sourced from high-elevation, rocky vineyards in the Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino, benefiting from coastal influence and sun exposure above the fog line. This cool-climate sourcing contributes to the wine's characteristics. The 2021 vintage is noted for its intensity and structure. Each year, Jolie-Laide wines feature new artwork by local artists, making each bottle distinct.

## Interesting facts

- Jolie-Laide translates to 'pretty-ugly,' reflecting a philosophy of unconventional beauty.
- Each bottle features unique artwork by local artists.
- Vineyard sites are at approximately 2500 ft elevation.
- Grapes are picked early to retain acidity.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium+ body and structured tannins complement the richness of proteins like lamb and beef, while its savory and peppery notes harmonize with herbs and spices. The acidity cuts through richer dishes, providing balance.

## Wine making process

The Jolie Laide North Coast Syrah 2021 is produced using a hands-off approach in the cellar. Grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Yorkville Highlands. The winemaking process involves foot-crushing the grapes and fermenting them whole cluster with native yeasts in open-top tanks. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 10 to 14 months in neutral French oak barriques. Key aspects of the winemaking philosophy include minimal intervention, native yeast fermentation, and minimal sulfur additions before bottling. The grapes are harvested early to preserve acidity and capture cool-climate characteristics.