2009 DEWN Syrah "Chequera"

$42 per bottle / $453.60 per case
$35.70 per bottle / $403.20 per case (Members)

This was the final vintage we were privileged to receive from the splendid Chequera Vineyard in Paso Robles, located next door to our former tasting room on Highway 46, West. It is a mostly terraced vineyard – with Syrah planted on the south face, Viognier on the north face. The vineyard was planted from Syrah cuttings derived from our original Estate vineyard in Bonny Doon, which in turn came from the brilliant Estrella River clone, also planted in the Bien Nacido "X-Block". The vines struggle in the hard slate soil, and the berries are always exceptionally small and concentrated. The most typical qualities of Chequera are its unmistakable blackberry nose. The substantial addition of Viognier to the cuvée has added a note of violet and discreet honeysuckle. An exceptionally elegant wine in the short term, this is also a wine capable of many years of cellaring.