Hilltops Syrah 2021

Stolpman’s Hedonistic Ridgeline Syrah
We first vineyard designated this cuvee from the modern-day Hilltops block in 2008, only 4 years after replanting the Estate’s center ridge to a variety of our favorite Syrah strains and clones.  Since then, we have refined the Hilltops cuvee into a tight selection of our favorite micro-blocks within the greater hilltop.
Prior to 2008, the Hilltops wine came from a barrel selection of the most intense Syrah from all three ridges on the vineyard.  With less clay topsoil on the ridges and further exposed to the Ballard Canyon Pacific wind, the vines on the ridges yield lower for further concentration of flavor.  Those grapes are now blended into the main Estate Grown Syrah cuvee.

A cold spring led to a moderate summer without significant heat spikes through harvest.  Overall, the 2021 harvest arrived late, with traditional reds beginning to hit peak ripeness at the end of September and through October.  Because of the even weather, 2021 became a strategic, precise vintage in which La Cuadrilla had time to nail every pick at optimal ripeness.
A deep ocean of purple brimmed with flecks of red at sunset.  Lapping, coating waves of lushness float candied cherries onto shore.  Hints of vanilla, caramel, and toast make the wine all the more hedonistic, and that’s all on the nose let alone the palate.   Ripe, rich, supple red then takes over the mouth.   Fleshy and inviting upon release in late 2024, the only remnants of youth appear after the long finish.  The last release of the 2021 vintage, it’s been a joy to watch the Hilltops unfurl in barrel and bottle.