The Language of Yes, Syrah 2021, Rancho Real Vineyard, Santa Maria, Central Coast, CA

The Language of Yes, Syrah 2021, Rancho Real Vineyard, Santa Maria, Central Coast, CA
This co-ferment of Syrah and Viognier calls to the wines of St. Joseph in the Northern Rhône. It has concentrated dark berries, floral notes, and herbal, piney undertones.

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: California

APPELLATION (AVA): Santa Maria Valley

REGION: Central Coast

SUBREGION: Santa Barbara County

VINEYARD: Rancho Real Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2021

GRAPES: 86% Syrah 14% Viognier

SOIL: Sandy loam

PRACTICE: Biodynamic

VINIFICATION: Co-ferment, 50% whole cluster, natural fermentation in stainless steel. 12 mos in used barrique. Unfiltered.

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Purple-ruby

BODY: Medium to full

TASTE: Dry

TANNINS: Moderate

PRIMARY AROMAS: Violet, pepper, red fruits, mushrooms, licorice

FLAVOR: Ripe berries, sage, pine, bright acidity

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 14.3%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: The wine softens after opening so it does benefit from decanting. Pair with cassoulet or braised lamb with herbs.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Randall Grahm
From Cigars (Flying) to the Rhône Ranger to Popelouchum, Randall Grahm has a long history of reimagining the traditions of France in a distinctly personal way.
The Language of Yes (a distinctly odd name) is Randall’s next chapter. A continued exploration of the central California Coast through small-batch vinous experiments, light touches and a deep love of the land.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD: Rancho Real Vineyard
A vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley appellation of Santa Barbara County. The vineyard with 436-acre property sits 13 miles southeast of the town of Santa Maria and tailored specifically to its topography and soil types producing Burgundian and Rhone grape varietals…bringing the combined planted acreage to 211.

ABOUT THE NAME: The Language of Yes
“Odd name for a wine, what? ‘The Language of Yes’ or La Langue d'Oc is the term that medieval folk of southern France and adjacent environs used to describe who they were by how they spoke (differentiating themselves from ‘La langue d’oil’ spoken by their northern neighbors - a oui bit of parochialism, non?) The Language of Yes,” a precursor of modern Provençal, is a window to a particular sensibility - the language of the love poetry of the troubadours - one that esteemed passion and romance above cerebration and most significantly, expressed a deep, almost mystical love of the land.” - The Language of Yes

ABOUT THE LABEL: The label was designed by Chuck House in conjunction with Toronto-based design studio Public Address.
“The label art takes its inspiration from a long out-of-print book on Medieval Occitan culture sourced from a rare book dealer in Paris. Expanding on the design by Chuck, Public Address developed an identity system with a distinctly literary style. The typeface Traulha, also inspired by Occitan culture and language, is used throughout as a contemporary nod to the historic roots. The brand’s tone of voice compliments the design system and places Randall as the first-person protagonist with a more neutral narrator as straight man.” (publicaddress.studio)