Elevation: 300?
Clone/Selection: Syrah: 470, Pinot Noir: 777, Pommard
Soils: Steinbeck series; Sedimentary Clay Loam
Vine Density: 4?x8?
Farming: Organic
Planted: 2000
Clary Ranch is a stunning hillside planting in the heart of the Petaluma Gap near Tomales Bay. Paul Clary took a big risk in 2000 when he planted Pinot Noir and Syrah in this extremely cold and windy site. The ranch is now owned and tended by Drew Beuchley and the same crew that has worked these vines since they were planted. The Coast Range Mountains in Northern California run parallel to the coastline but take a sudden dip and nearly disappear around Bodega Bay in Sonoma County. It is at this point that cool air over the Pacific Ocean is drawn inland via convective forces through the Petaluma Gap, moderating the climate in this entire section of the Sonoma Coast. Our coldest vineyard for Syrah, Clary has been harvested as late as November 18th at under 12% alcohol. The protracted growing season paired with the sedimentary clay-loam soils slow the ripening and allow us to farm without irrigation resulting in fruit that is deeply pigmented and loaded with flavor. The resulting wines we have made exhibit soaring aromatics, expressive exotic spice notes, and high natural acidity that are hallmarks of this wind scraped vineyard.
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The 2021 Syrah Clary Ranch captures all the coastal, cool-climate savoriness of the Petaluma Gap. Game, scorched earth, tobacco and black pepper are all woven into a core of dark red-fleshed fruit. Huge tannins, a combination of site and a vintage with low juice yields wrap it all together. This dense, concentrated Syrah needs a few years in bottle, although it is already stunning in its beauty.
-Anthony Galloni-97 points Drinking Window: 2025 – 2041, tasted January 2023.