# Syrah (2023)

- **Producer:** JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €37
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blueberry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, fennel, violet, raspberry, cherry, vanilla, toast, chocolate, coffee, tobacco

## About this wine

Founded in 1981 by Justin Baldwin in the Adelaide District of Paso Robles, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery was an early pioneer of fine winemaking on California's Central Coast. While widely acclaimed for Bordeaux-style red blends, JUSTIN also produces boutique varietal expressions like Syrah to showcase the region's warm climate and limestone-rich soils. The 2023 vintage stood out as one of the coolest and wettest growing seasons in nearly twenty years, providing a prolonged ripening period that yielded exceptional balance and natural acidity.

## Interesting facts

- JUSTIN was established in 1981 as an early pioneer of fine winemaking in Paso Robles.
- The 2023 vintage was the coolest and wettest growing season in Paso Robles in nearly two decades.
- The winery estate houses a Michelin-starred dining room alongside its vineyards.

## Food pairing

Rich, full-bodied red wines with firm tannins and spicy undertones complement hearty proteins, charred glazes, and savory herbal accents. The vibrant acidity cuts through fatty meats while balancing intense reduction sauces.

## Wine making process

The fruit was harvested and fermented in temperature-controlled open and closed stainless steel tanks. Twice-daily pump-overs were conducted to manage tannin extraction and capture fresh fruit varietal aromatics. Following fermentation, the wine matured for 16 months in French oak barrels to build structure and texture before bottling.