Eric Demuth Syrah Bei Ranch Vineyard 2013

This bottle comes from a very unique, small parcel of land located at 1,600 feet of elevation—which is really, really high up. But the plot is located above the fog line, which helps grapes ripen. It’s also located roughly four miles from the Pacific, which is the closest syrah to the ocean in that part of California. There are only 900 vines, so, at most, seven barrels are made annually. A fan of Northern Rhône syrah, winemaker Eric Demuth produces a stunning iteration using very traditional vinification methods: the grapes are left 100 percent whole cluster, foot-stomped, and pressed in an old-fashioned hand basket, and put into neutral Bordeaux barrels to ferment and mature on their lees for almost one year. He adds a small amount of viognier to the syrah for a purple-fruited, meaty, but lithe, wine elevated by acidity, with a tart, mineral finish.