2018 DuPuis Wines Syrah "Baker Ranch", Anderson Valley, CaliforniaABOUT THIS WINE This organically farmed Baker Ranch Syrah is fermented 100% whole cluster, utilizing a traditional Northern Rhone technique, submerged cap fermentation. This produces a wine that is more aromatic with rich red fruit. ABOUT THIS PRODUCER During Wells Guthrie's stints working in the Northern Rhone Valley and Burgundy, he picked up the nickname Puis, meaning well or wells. Its an older spelling of the word, and I was in France to learn

though demi-muids and foudres of various sizes have joined the fray along with enamel-lined stainless steel tanks and even a few amphoras

a wine traditionally labeled by winemakers and connoisseurs as Fino Amontillado—no matter how unfavorable the current legislation seems to be toward this ancient category

not surprising given its five years on the lees in bottle

a presence strong enough to counter the lavish extract and to keep the wines from feeling gooey or too heavy

Vangelis Gerovassiliou was born in Epanomi to a farming and grape-growing family

Inspired by a pair of red-tailed hawks who made their nest (eyrie) in the fir trees at the top of the vineyard site

The vineyards are all farmed organically with very little mechanization and no pesticides

the estate has built a legacy of producing wines that are both precise and expressive

A rainy period followed during flowering in the Spring

estate vineyards

This cuvée

Egly’s wines are aged extensively on the lees (up to 10 years) that lend the wines a distinctively vinous quality