# PS Syrah (2021)

- **Producer:** Piedrasassi
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.4%
- **Average price:** €39
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black pepper, blackberry, cherry, raspberry, violet, eucalyptus, smoke, cedar, leather, game, forest floor

## About this wine

Piedrasassi was founded in 2003 by winemaker Sashi Moorman and his wife, Melissa Sorongon, in Santa Barbara County, California. Sashi Moorman is one of California's most celebrated winemaking talents, also known for his work with Sandhi and Domaine de la Côte. Piedrasassi operates under a unique dual concept as both an artisanal winery and a bakery, where Melissa mills heritage grains to bake wood-fired sourdough bread. The "PS" Syrah is the estate's county-wide blend, sourced from prestigious, cool-climate vineyards across Santa Barbara's transverse valleys, including John Sebastiano, Bien Nacido, and Harrison Clarke. This wine represents Moorman's dedication to crafting California Syrah with a distinct Northern Rhône sensibility—focusing on lower alcohol, savory complexity, and structural elegance rather than the jammy, high-alcohol style often associated with the region.

## Interesting facts

- Piedrasassi operates as a combined winery and artisan bakery, milling heritage grains for fresh wood-fired sourdough bread.
- Winemaker Sashi Moorman is the visionary behind other iconic California estates like Sandhi and Domaine de la Côte.
- The 2021 vintage of this accessible 'PS' bottling achieved an outstanding 96-point rating from Wine Enthusiast.
- Exactly 2,436 cases of this cool-climate Santa Barbara County Syrah were bottled for the 2021 vintage.

## Food pairing

This cool-climate Syrah thrives alongside rich, savory meats and earthy flavors. Its vibrant acidity cuts through the fat of lamb and duck, while the wine's natural black pepper and herbal notes seamlessly mirror seasonings like rosemary, thyme, and black olives. The refined but present tannins are softened by the proteins in slow-cooked meats, creating a balanced and harmonious dining experience.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for the "PS" Syrah emphasizes low-intervention methods to preserve the natural purity of the fruit. Grapes are harvested early to maintain vibrant acidity. The fruit is mostly destemmed, retaining approximately 30% to 50% whole clusters. Fermentation takes place in open concrete tanks using only indigenous, native yeasts, with no sulfur added during this stage. The wine is aged for 17 to 18 months in a combination of neutral French oak barrels and 500-liter puncheons, minimizing direct wood flavor while allowing gentle oxygenation. Finally, the wine is bottled completely unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulfur added at bottling.