Wine Notes [PDF]

2005 Syrah, North Coast
Alcohol 14.0% | Total Acidity .60 | pH: 3.88

WINEMAKING | Grapes from both warm and cool vineyard sites were hand-selected to bring added complexity to the finished wine. Once harvested, the grapes were crushed and individually cold-soaked prior to fermentation to extract color and intensity while  reigning in tannins. Each lot was aged in oak barrels for 14 months. The wines were then blended and bottled in January of 2007.
 
VINTAGE | What began as a heartbreakingly difficult growing season with a cold, wet spring and periodic rains throughout the summer, would become one of Sonoma’s most surprising standout vintages. As harvest approached, we knew that a single rainy day could cost us the vintage. But instead of rain, we got a miracle: 30-plus days of perfect Indian summer. What’s more, the grapes continued to gain weight late in the year, which slowed and lengthened the ripening process. This bit of serendipity combined with great weather brought our grapes to optimal ripeness. We picked the last grapes on November 11—the latest ever for us in Sonoma.
A truly exceptional harvest, 2005 saw both exquisite quality and superb yields.

TASTING NOTES | Initial aromas offer earthy elements of tea, tobacco and herbs. In the mouth, our 2005 Syrah has dark fruit flavors of black cherry and ripe plum. This wine boasts a long finish with notes of vanilla and toast from the oak barrel aging. We recommend pairing alongside barbequed steak, pizza with mushrooms, or smoked duck.

BENZIGER FARMING PRACTICES | At Benziger Family Winery, we are dedicated to winemaking that reveals the true character of the vineyard, the varietal and the vintage in certified-sustainable, -organically grown and-Biodynamic® wines defined by individuality and the passion of the people who make them. Through our commitment to natural farming and environmentally and socially responsible business practices, we strive for sustainability and the preservation of our Sonoma Mountain family winery for generations to come.