The Vineyard

Our Syrah was grown at almost 1000 feet of elevation directly across from Sonoma Mountain in Sonoma County’s newest AVA, Bennett Valley. This is a cool growing region (region 2-3), and the soil is gravelly loam with volcanic rock. The extremely vigorous vines, characteristic of Syrah, are trained on bilateral cordons because of the stressed, low vigor soil. During the growing season the nights often blanket the area with fog, which helps the grapes cool off after warm days. This marine layer in turn, burns off slowly the following day, creating a longer growing season, which concentrates flavors and allows tannins to fully mature.

 

Tasting Notes

This wine exhibits an extremely dark hue, characteristic of the highly phenolic syrah grape. It has polymerized tannins that are soft and round due to the extended hang time of the fruit. It exhibits deep aromas of dark berry and black cherry fruit followed by nuances of vanilla and toasty oak. This is mirrored in the mouth by intense boysenberry and raspberry flavors with hints of cinnamon, mocha and subtle toasty oak compliments. This wine has a generous fore-mouth, is very broad and full on the mid-palate and extends into a long, round, soft finish. It will age very nicely for seven to twelve years.

Technical Info
Appellation:	Bennett Valley-Sonoma’s newest AVA
Composition:	100% Syrah
Fermentation:	12 days in ½ ton open top fermentors; 2 punch downs a day
Cooperage:	Aged 13 months in 75% 1 year old French oak and 25% new American oak
Barrel choice:	Seguin Moreau, Francois Ferres, Raddoux Appalachian
Chemistry:	15.3% Alcohol, 3.85 pH, 5.8 g/L TA, 31 ppm SO2
Production:	122 cases
Release date:	August 2005