2008 Les Titans Estate Syrah, Sonoma Coast - 325 cases
Tasting Notes
Les Titans is the meatier and more masculine Peay Syrah. This is the case in 2008 but it is surprisingly also more approachable than the 2008 La Bruma with rounder fruit and softer tannins. I have enjoyed watching the evolution of this cuvée as newly planted lots have been added. The beautiful October weather elevated the 2008 Les Titans to a new height.
The nose has an intense lilac quality dancing gently around a blue fruit, roasted meat and blood core. Think of a rosemary, lavender, black pepper and garlic encrusted beef roast. There is a cinnamon stick (cassia) quality in the nose as well. The mouth is full and supported by blue and black fruits with the sanguine blood and iron qualities providing ballast. It is what makes this Syrah so special; it has the depth and concentration of fruit so hard to find in northern Rhône Syrah without sacrificing balance, acidity and the secondary aromas of blood, meat and white pepper common to those wines. It has power and finesse. We suggest you decant before enjoying. It should evolve for at least 10+ years.
2008 La Bruma Estate Syrah
Tasting Notes
La Bruma (“the mist or fog”) pays tribute to the role fog plays in producing our unique microclimate. The 2008 La Bruma has the classic cool climate characteristics found in our Syrah. The style is more similar to the 2002 and 2005 vintages showing finesse over power.
The 2008 La Bruma Syrah radiates an electric purple hue. The nose is bright with fragrant notes of boysenberries, blackberries, graphite and violets. Really pretty. There is a touch of dark Mission fig underneath the top notes and a sweet bacon edge to the overall aroma. The mouth is elegant and medium-bodied. The bacon fat and berry notes are wrapped in smoky, lead pencil aromas. Without a decant, the palate is tight and compact. The tannins are persistent and silky but not firm or green. After a 45 minute decant a softer and broader mid-palate emerges. We suggest you age for at least 3-5+ years.
2007 Peay Vineyards Les Titans Estate Syrah 
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Tasting Notes
The cuvée name, Les Titans ("the Giants"), refers to two enormous and old growth redwood trees left by loggers over 100 years ago that flank the blocks of Syrah. True to its name, Les Titans is the more masculine, meaty, compact cuvee compared to the floral and peppery La Bruma. Our Syrah comes from one of the coldest Syrah vineyards in the United States. As a result, it has power but does not sacrifice balance and complexity. This will not be your big, blueberry jam style of Syrah or Shiraz but a wine with elegance, refreshing acidity and aromas of meat, dark fruit and earth.
The 2007 Les Titans is a powerhouse and reveals the strength of the superb vintage. The dark and brooding nose showcases a deep, dark plum core with grilled meats, boar sausage and fennel aromas. The tannins are soft but drier than La Bruma. As the wine carries across the palate the flavors amplify and fill the mouth with iron, white pepper and dark blueberry fruit flavors. The length is incredibly long and persistent with excellent acidity that will make it perfect at the table with steak, braised meats, lamb, anything with savory, bloody, meaty flavors. Drink now with at least a 30 minute decant and age for 5+ years.
2007 Peay Vineyards La Bruma Estate Syrah 550 Cases
La Bruma ("the mist or fog") pays tribute to the role fog plays in producing our unique microclimate. The 2007 La Bruma has the classic cool climate characteristics found in our Syrah and is already drinking quite well. The style is more similar to the 2002 and 2005 vintages showing finesse over power.
The nose opens with aromas of wet stone lifted by violet, boysenberry and a touch of white pepper. The aromas are not fruity but instead are savory with notes of tarragon, rare steak and cloves supporting the graphite and berry notes. The acidity is superb creating a focused and persistent finish. If you open a bottle now, do not decant but instead watch it develop in the glass. We recommend holding the 2007 La Bruma for 3+ years for maximum pleasure.
2006 Peay Vineyards La Bruma Estate Syrah 475 Cases
The 2006 La Bruma (the "fog or mist") is a young'un. It will provide much enjoyment on release if you pop the cork and drink straight away. But this is a wine that will engage all of your senses with 5 years or more in bottle. It has the structure, the depth of fruit and the breed to be a superior wine.
La Bruma is a blend of clones 1 (24%), Estrella (23%), 470 (19%), 174 (15%), and a suitcase selection (19%) that we call P². Blocks were picked, vinified and aged separately for 15 months in 24% new french oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The alcohol is 13.9%.
The nose has medium to high intensity with red fruit and floral notes. Smoke, lavender and nicoise black olive tapenade aromas intermingle with cinnamon and other brown spices around a black raspberry core. On the palate La Bruma is powerful and smooth with fine silky tannins. Aromas of boar sausage, cured meat and guava build in the mid-palate. The finish is very long with lingering notes of mocha and marionberries. The 2006 La Bruma has more depth and is less peppery than the superb 2005. Drink now without a significant decant or age for 5+ years for maximum pleasure.
2006 Peay Vineyards Les Titans Estate Syrah375 Cases
True to its name, Les Titans (the "Giants") is the more masculine, compact cuvée. Like La Bruma, Les Titans can be drunk on release, though a decant of an hour will allow the wine to flesh out. To fully appreciate Les Titans you should age it for at least 5 years.
Les Titans is a blend of Estrella (47%), 1 (27%), a Côte Rôtie selection (18%) and 174 (8%). Blocks were picked, vinified and aged separately for 15 months in 33% new french oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The alcohol is 14.0%.
The dark nose showcases plum and grilled meats with hickory smoke. The tannins are soft but drier than in La Bruma. As the wine carries across the palate the flavors amplify and fill the mouth with dried fig, iron, blackberry, white pepper and fennel seed. The length is incredibly long and persistent. Drink now with an hour decant or age for 5+ years.
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