Pyren Vineyard 2021 Little Ra Ra Rouge

Winemaker: Leighton Joy

Grape: 84% Shiraz / 8% Nero d’Avola / 5% Sangiovese / 3% Cabernet Franc

Vintage notes: An early frost event in late 2020 would prove no obstacle for a very good 2021 harvest. Even and well-spaced harvest periods between varieties made for a less strenuous time in the winery, despite reasonable yields. Significant rainfall through the growing season worked to favor, rather than impeding fruit development.

Vineyard notes: Pyren’s estate vineyard is farmed organically (uncertified); its sedimentary soils rich with quartz formations. Red/brown clay loam feature across the property, with the most elevated vines growing in shallow soils over sandstone and schist formations. Alluvial clay silt is evident at lower elevation, albeit with consistent quartz stone laced throughout. Pyren is planted exclusively in an E/W orientation, providing invaluable shade to both fruit and earth in the warmest part of the day.

Winemaking: Hand-picked and fermented with native yeast. The shiraz component consists largely of pressings from fruit that has seen only a few hours of skin contact. Fermented in stainless steel and rested in 400L French barrels for 5 months prior to racking and blending with tankaged other grapes. Bottled unfiltered.