Spring Release Russian River Valley Syrah
2005

Winemaker’s Notes

The aromatic fireworks of our 2005 RRV Syrah are emblematic of the complexity the cool 2005 growing season brought to all our wines this vintage. Combined with whole cluster and native yeast fermentations, we see a real European dimension to this bottling. Crop levels were significantly impacted by storms during bloom, ultimately reducing production by 30as compared to 2004. Precise vineyard management was the key to ensuring balanced vine growth and uniform fruit maturity during the season, as the plants responded vigorously to the plentiful ground water that was available post bloom. The Gregori vineyard in particular took three separate cluster thinning passes to ensure concentration of fruit and extract. Harvest was late and prolonged as the vines built sugar slowly at the end of the long season and the vintage ended as usual at Dry Stack vineyard under the threat of approaching dark clouds. In the cellar the wines required positive and in some cases energetic extraction to give up all their goodness. This translated to long, warm macerations designed to balance aroma, texture and structure. The European aromatic and structural feel to the wines was immediately apparent and increased with barrel aging. This bottling is undoubtedly the most obviously cool climate Syrah we've yet released and as such is a strong reflection of this unique vintage.

Deep ruby-purple; High-toned aromatics of violet, tapenade, cassis and pepper. The palate follows the nose with broad richness and full-bodied mid-palate weight. Muscular tannins envelope the back end with a vibrant edge of spice and bright acidity. Serve between 60 and 65 degrees to ensure full flavor development, this bottling will age positively for at least a decade.

Andy Smith Viticulturist, Winemaker & Partner