Jonathan Sauer drives us up the hill, and we stop below the Chapel Block’s west slope. The Chapel block is 100% syrah, which is how it got its Chapel, reminiscent of the famous Chapel in Hermitage in France, where some of the most famous syrah on the planet grows.

The Red Willow Chapel sits on a hill so there are aspects on all sides. The west slope fruit is intense, dark, and tannic. The east slope, with its soil windblown loess, has more perfume in the wine, giving it more elegance. This is a significant difference in fruit, when as Jonathan says, “You can throw a ball from one to the next”. The south slope is more of a mix of the two styles. here, from just within the Chapel block you have the makings for a beautiful blend, with depth and complexity, just from one variety.

read more at Red Willow Vineyards