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  "A deep, dark, concentrated color leads to blueberry, black cherry, vanilla, cinnamon and toasty oak spice aromas in the nose. Firm tannins complement cherry cola, dark fruit, cedar and white pepper flavors while a full mid-palate gives way to a well-balanced and lingering finish. Enjoy with crispy roast duck, lamb, and spicy marinara pasta dishes."
Denise Shurtleff, Winemaker The family-owned Cambria estate sits atop the Santa Maria Bench in northern Santa Barbara County. This area was originally known as “tepuztli” by the native Chumash Indians meaning “copper coin.” Later, Spanish settlers translated the word as Tepusquet. Part of an 1838 Mexican land grant, “Rancho Tepusquet” was home to cattle and row crops throughout the 1800s. Vines were planted over 150 years ago when the original settlers, the Olivera family, planted the Mission grape variety which was introduced to California by the Franciscan Friars. Barbara Banke, Cambria’s proprietor, named one of the estate vineyards “Tepusquet” to honor the area’s rich history. The current Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard is located at the eastern-most portion of the estate on a downward slope which shelters the vines from Santa Maria’s infamous strong winds. The soil, once a prehistoric river bed, is sandy, porous and exceptionally well-draining—resulting in fruit with dense, concentrated flavors. The Pacific Ocean, located 17 miles to the west, fosters a cool marine layer which helps the fruit to develop optimal acid balance and varietal characteristics. As with all fruit from Cambria’s vineyards, the 2005 Syrah was hand harvested at the peak of flavor development. The grape clusters were de-stemmed and placed into openñtop fermenters. A cold pre-soak and frequent punchdowns gently maximized the extraction of flavor and color. Once fermentation was complete, the wine was racked into medium-plus toasted French oak barrels for 13 months—a process which integrates the spicy, concentrated fruit flavors of Syrah while rounding out the mid-palate. WINE SPECIFICS Composition: 100% Syrah Vineyard Source: Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Appellation: Santa Maria Valley Barrel Aging: Thirteen months 99% French (34% new) and 1% American oak Alcohol: 14.5% pH: 3.66 Total Acidity: 0.55 g/100ml Bottling Date: February 2007 Release Date: April 2007 Historical Accolades for Tepusquet Vineyard Syrah 2003 Vintage Gold Medal - 2006 Hilton Head International Wine Competition Silver Medal - 2006 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2002 Vintage Silver Medal - 2005 California State Fair Wine Competition 2001 Vintage Four Stars - "A pleasant stony spice note mixes with graphite and heady dark fruit scents on the nose of this big and fleshy Syrah. That interesting earthy detail gives an aromatic lift to a wine that is packed with rich, ripe fruit flavour. There's a freshness on the palate that makes taste buds snap to attention." - Vines Magazine, March, 2005 Silver Medal - 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2000 Vintage Four Stars/Excellent/Highly Recommended - "Supple and complex in style, with evident new oak character; a medium rich, crisp Syrah, with new oak, boysenberry, olive, and pepper aromas/flavors." - Ron Wiegand, Restaurant Wine, February, 2003 
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© 2002-2007 Cambria Winery |
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