In 2006, Baldassari Family Wines bottled two single-vineyard Syrah wines. It has been our intention from our first vintage to source the best quality fruit we can obtain, and to showcase the potential of excellent Syrahs. Our search for premium grapes took us back to Bennett Valley, in Sonoma County, where we sourced grapes from two separate vineyards, Jemrose Vineyard and Nolan Vineyards. It became apparent very quickly that these vineyard sites were unique, and the wines made from each site possessed special qualities that deserved to be individually highlighted. From our 2006 vintage, we are proud to offer the Jemrose Vineyard Syrah and the Nolan Vineyards Syrah!

Both vineyards are less than a mile apart from each other in Bennett Valley, but this close proximity is where the similarities stop. Nolan Vineyards is just off the valley floor and has a slight slope. The soil is more fertile which does not limit the vines growth as much throughout the growing season. This vineyard is right in the path of the fog and consequently cools earlier in the day when the fog comes in. Jemrose Vineyard, although protected by the path of the fog by a small hill, receives less hours of direct sunlight than Nolan vineyards and is at a slight elevation on less vigorous soil. The fruit at this site typically takes more time to ripen completely than the fruit at the Nolan site.

Because the fruit at the Jemrose site needs more time to ripen, the resulting wines tend to have a subtle black pepper note, which compliments the dark berry aromas. The wine is extremely dark in color and very dense without being heavy or tannic across the palate. The Nolan Syrah, on the other hand, exhibits ripe berry fruit aromas with subtle notes of espresso and mocha. The Nolan also has a dark hue with a soft, lush feel and an elegant density in the mouth. Both of our Syrah’s offer very unique perspectives of Bennett Valley Syrah at its best.

Salute!

Click here to read about the 2004 Syrah
Click here to read about the 2003 Syrah