Samuel Louis Wines - 22 nelson vineyard syrah, santa cruz mtns, sans soufre - syrah

**V.22** Record December rains, a cold and dry January, and a warm and dry first few weeks of February preceded below-freezing temperatures later in the month. This was the first hurdle, as soil temps had risen and bud break commenced the first and second weeks of March (about one week early). Some rain late March helped to cleanse soils and quench vines, yet another shock to the system was looming. A succession of heatwave,frost, rain confirmed that 2022 was going to be anything but easy. Weather through flowering was cool and windy per usual. This, paired with low nutrient and groundwater availability due to the drought, lead to below-average cluster counts and widespread shatter. Average to above average temperatures, along with less marine layer through the summer, confirmed that 2022 would be an early year. A week-long heatwave starting Labor Day Weekend hastened ripening and further diminished crop loads. Thankfully, weather for the remainder of harvest was average to below average, though the heatwave and tiny yields forced most parcels to ripen simultaneously – shifting the stress from vineyard to winery. At first glance, 2022 seems to be a combination of 2014 and 2017. Regardless, the end result for the vintage was clean, fruit-driven, and fairly opulent wines with individuality determined by pick date (before, durning, or after the heatwave). This is a vintage that truly tells a story.