Our infatuation with west side Paso Robles Syrah, the 99 Steps is a small lot selection of our best Syrah barrels from the 2018 vintage. Sharing a property line, John Rolph’s Vineyard and La Vista Vineyard both showed great exuberance and power in 2018 and we ultimately decided to blend a couple barrels of each for this year's edition. While both vineyards are situated in the deep west section of the Adelaida District, La Vista offers more hilltop elevation and exposure that makes for a great deal of concentration of flavor and power in its tannin, and Rolph is situated downhill, adjacent to Tablas Creek and features more expressive aromatics and fresh flavors. The combination of the two sites, despite their proximity, make for a more balanced and complex expression of Syrah. 

The nose is grainy with features notes of cracked pepper and woody cedar cigar box perfume, underlaid by a fruitful and sweet blackberry compote and charred maple. A stark counterbalance of earthy and herbal with sweet and candied tones of brown sugar and raspberry. On the palate, juicy fig and plump plum explode on the entry but is quickly toned down by a rich pork belly savoriness. Spiced elements of allspice and sweet pepper intermingle with a moderate acidity and densely structured, yet velvety tannin.