Starting with cool-climate fruit from a premiere vineyard on the slope of Spring Mountain in Sonoma County, winemaker Charlie Dollbaum hand-crafted just 100 cases in the style he is noted for:  concentrated fruit aroma and flavor with balance and structure.  Striving for wine that fully exemplifies the character of the particular varietal he is working with, Dollbaum harvests moderately ripe fruit with just enough sugars and tannins to produce a rich and complex, but always balanced wine.

Three Syrah clones were selected for the 2008 Carica Syrah, all harvested from Kick Ranch vineyard.  According to Carica winemaker Dollbaum, “The Hermitage clone contributes earthy and tobacco flavors, while the 470 clone provides the foundational blackberry and cassis aromas and flavors.”  Syrah clone 877, always the last to ripen, brings tannic grip to the midpalate.  The wine was aged for 16 months in 2-year-old French oak barrels and American oak barrels.  It was bottled unfiltered and unfined on August 12, 2010.  With 14.8% alcohol, the 2008 Carica Syrah is an ideal companion for food.  Dollbaum suggests pairing this Syrah with grilled lamb or stuffed portobello mushrooms.

The 2008 Carica Syrah, and the other Carica wines, are available through the winery’s website, www.CaricaWines.com.  The wine may be tasted and purchased at the winery’s Tasting Room in Alameda, California.  The wine  is $36.00 per bottle.

CARICA 2008 Syrah