Piedrasassi Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah 2018

Sashi Moorman is one of the west coast’s most prolific and highly-regarded winemakers. With his hands in projects like Evening Land, Sandhi, and Domaine de la Côte, he’s pushed the discipline of winemaking and farming forward and put his name behind some amazing wines.

What is Piedrasassi? More than anything, it’s Sashi Moorman’s love letter to the Syrah grape, and the fullness of expression it can showcase when farmed correctly and vinified with care. They use a lot of whole cluster fermentation, allowing those wild and spicy green notes to rise to the forefront. 

Farming is paramount in producing good Syrah, and most winemakers aren’t just starting the process when the grapes come in the door of the winery. The challenge is ongoing, and involves careful attention in the vineyard. When you never use pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, you don’t have as many crutches to lean on. But you also bring in a healthy harvest free of chemicals, and can produce wines from a vineyard that is balanced and in tune with nature. 

This 2018 Bien Nacido Syrah comes from the most famous vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, planted nearly five decades ago. It’s an homage to the great Syrahs of the northern Rhône valley, but also wears its California heart on its sleeve. It’s a study in pepper and smoke, enrobed in ripe black plum and cherry fruit.