"Califa" is the Modoc Indian term for "prettiest one," and that's what these wines are to us. These bottlings are blended from the most opulent, seductive and powerful barrels of the vintage. The Califa wines are the result of stringent tastings and evaluations to ensure that these few bottles truly are the most intense and flavorful wines of the vintage.

Appellation: Edna Valley
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Clones: Estrella River, 877, 174
Oak treatment: 17 months in 60% new French oak
Alcohol: 14.5%
Cases made: 200
Release date: June 2010
Retail price: $42. Sold out.

$42. Sold out.

THE VINEYARD
Chamisal was the first vineyard planted in the Edna Valley in 1973 and now contains 80 acres planted to 5 varieties and 25 clonal selections. The nearby Pacific Ocean creates a long temperate growing season for exceptional hang time, which combines with the calcareous, clay-rich soil to produce fruit with exceptional intensity and complex

TASTING NOTES
The name Califa means "most beautiful one" in a local native language, and each barrel of the vintage is tasted many times after fermentation to select the most opulent and terroir-driven wines for this designation. Our 2007 vintage is a selection of our three most exceptional clones. The Estrella River, 877 and 174 clones are all grown in spur-pruned blocks, whose low yields give great concentration to the flavors of the grapes and provide the firm structure of the wine.

The 2007 Califa Syrah is another exceptional cool-climate Syrah with a kick that only the Chamisal Vineyard can produce. Barrel selected from the best examples of our clones in the vineyard, this huge Syrah will only get better with time. The nose recognizes hints of Pasilla peppers and roasted espresso bean. Notes of pomegranate and dried cranberry shine through the firm tannins and acidity -- the two factors that enable this bottle to age gracefully for the next 8 years.

$42. Sold out