Vineyard
A remote site in the foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains. The vines are grown at 5,000 feet on granite and gneiss derived sandy loam, embedded with gravel and cobbles in clay and limestone. The farming practices at Red Tree Ranch are organic, animal and insect friendly and the vineyard is irrigated only when necessary. The ranch is situated in the middle of a riparian wildlife corridor and is home to desert tortoises, deer, bobcats, turkeys, javelina, owls and other birds of prey.The Grapes
The Syrah vines were planted in 2010 and farmed organically since 2020. The practicing organic grapes grow creekside, in the cool mountain air surrounded by groves of oak, sycamore, cottonwood, cypress and juniper. Extreme diurnal shifts of hot days and cool nights allow the grapes to preserve aromas and natural acidity. Because of the cooler climate in the Chiricahua Foothills, the Syrah grapes ripen more slowly, allowing for longer “hang time” and greater acid development.King of Diamonds 2025
VARIETY Syrah
STYLE Red Wine
BRIX at Harvest 23.2
PH at Harvest 3.325
LOCATION Chiricahua Foothills, Arizona
VINEYARD Red Tree Ranch
SOIL TYPE Granite and gneiss derived sandy loam, embedded with gravel cobbles in clay and limestone
PRODUCTION 62 cases
ALCOHOL 13%
Vinification
The Syrah grapes were hand picked with the help of friends and transported to Arizona Stronghold in Camp Verde, Arizona for vinification. The grapes were cold soaked for 2 days, then destemmed and fermented with native yeasts on the skins for 14 days with several punch downs a day before being pressed off at dryness into one puncheon. The wine was aged sur lie for ~9 months with no bâtonnage. Racked once before bottling. Unfined, unfiltered with 30 PPM of added SO2 (15 PPM when the grapes arrived at the winery, 15PPM a week before bottling).Expression
Herbal and savoury on the nose, desert scrub and dried sage, cracked green peppercorn, with a warm boozy lift and a smoky, woodsy edge behind it. Then the palate flips it: a punch of dark fruit, blackberry and black plum, medium plus bodied with real juiciness, tobacco and spice trailing behind. Tannins are supple and the whole thing finishes long and savoury, with just a flicker of dissolved carbon dioxide keeping it lively.