FIVE STARS OUT OF FIVE - Decanter Magazine, November 2007

The Rockblock label started in 1999 with a sole focus: vineyard designated Oregon Syrah. We have focused on the warmer areas of Oregon in the south and east where Syrah can achieve maximum expression of character and ripeness.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The name Rockblock was chosen to reinforce the concept that the most profound expressions of Syrah are grown in areas where the soils are nutrient poor and often “rocky”. All of the Syrah vineyards we work with have these intense and distinctive characteristics.

TASTING NOTES - Tony Rynders, Winemaker
Big, rich nose showing lots of dark chocolate, black cherry, loganberry, licorice, clove, toast, and vanilla. The dense palate is packed with ripe blackberry, dark cherry, anise, slight mincemeat, smoke and graphite with supple tannins.

VINEYARD
Sourced entirely from Del Rio Vineyard in the Rogue Valley appellation of southern Oregon, just north of Medford, overlooking the Rogue River. The vineyard is planted to the Noir clone on 101-14 and SO4 rootstocks. Soils are rocky clay loam, very well drained and planted 1088 vines per acre.

CROP YIELD & AGING
3.2 tons/acre. Aged 16 months, primarily in French oak. Approximately 60% of the barrels were new.