2004 Port, Sonoma Valley
Winemaker Notes
Made from Dragonsleaf Vineyard Syrah and a splash of Shell Creek Vineyards Petite Sirah, this dark ruby red wine showcases the signature black fruit flavors, sturdy tannins and rich mouthfeel. The grapes for this lot were picked and crushed 10/7 (SY) & 9/15 (PS). This wine was fermented for 15 days before being arrested by the addition of brandy. The wine was pressed to tank to settle for 3 days before being moved to barrels. It was barrel aged for 10 months in older American oak. The wine was bottled in August 2005. Alcohol: 19.5%, Total acidity: .39, pH: 3.96, Residual sugar: 7.52%.
Tasting Notes
This is an excellent port, intensely fruity in flavor, full bodied and moderately sweet. It has an intense aroma (boysenberry jam, blackberry), and is full, rich, well-balanced with a long finish. Enjoy with Asiago or ripened Brie cheese, fresh berry tarts, chocolate desserts or cookies and pastries made of nuts, dried fruit and chocolate.
Benziger History
Twenty-five years ago, Mike and Mary Benziger first drove up Sonoma Mountain and saw the overgrown ranch that would become Benziger Family Winery. They purchased the land with the help of Mike's father, Bruno Benziger, a wine and spirits importer from New York. A year later, Bruno and his wife Helen, along with their two youngest children (Chris and Kathy), moved west to help start the winery. Mike's siblings, Bob, Joe and Jerry Benziger and Patsy Benziger-Wallace soon joined the family in Glen Ellen. Today, more than two-dozen Benzigers live on and around the estate winery in Sonoma County and eight family members actively produce and sell Benziger wines.
Karen Ernsberger