Biodynamically-farmed Bassi Vineyard in Avila Beach was planted in 2001. I have been making Syrah from here commercially and bootleg-style since 2005.

About the 2023 vintage: After a restorative rainy winter and spring, cool foggy weather misted through summer on the SLO Coast, and this sandstone slope of vines was hand harvested October 17th. I destemmed half of the grapes, and left the rest whole cluster, for a wild fermentation in two small open top bins. Punchdowns were by hand twice a day. Once dry, I gravity drained the free run into a French oak puncheon and pressed the rest into a barrique for elevage. We racked once in late May after natural malolactic fermentation, and returned the wine to the same vessels until bottling on August 7th.

From RobertParker.com: “The Syrah Bassi Vineyard is a lovely, suave expression of this over-performing vineyard site. The nose leads with deftly ripe black fruits, white pepper and this site's signature purple flower-driven perfume. The palate displays great richness and umami-laden concentration within a vibrant, clean, yet savory package, finishing with fine-grained, chalky tannins and quenching acidity.”

Alcohol 13.6%. Unfined and unfiltered. 77 cases made.