Notes from North Berkeley Imports:

"Representing the third generation of her family to have answered the siren call of northern Rhône Syrah, Christelle Betton’s vision is one of pure and refined fruit, inspired by the cool northern Mistral winds and stony personality of her family’s vineyards in La Roche de Glun. Christelle manages 15 acres of vines in Crozes-Hermitage and one-third acre in Hermitage. Her skills come naturally, having watched her grandfather and father care for their vines, plowing the fields by hand and farming as naturally as possible.

Today Christelle farms her land organically, but is not certified; she prefers the flexibility of allowing the earth to tell her what it needs, and when. At harvest time you’ll find Christelle in the cellar, in black cowboy hat and work boots, in her vats stomping grapes to the rhythms of Latin jazz or French rock.

‘Caprice’ means whim in French, and could describe the feelings of a passionate winemaker as she guides her vines through the challenges and often heartaches of each vintage. A selection of the estate’s oldest vines, this pure Syrah wine is raised in older French oak barrels for one year. Licorice, cocoa, candied violets; black fruits and pepper."