Novy Judge Family Vineyard Syrah Bennett

Valley 2005

ITEM # NOVJUSY05    

Varietal: 100% Syrah

Viticulture & Vinification Notes: A blend of three different Syrah clones, two of which were fermented with 20% whole clusters. Only 2/3 of the bestfruit was selected for the final blend. The wine was aged in 38%

new French oak barrels. 316 cs production.            

Notes From The Winemaker: This is one of, if not the coolest Syrah

vineyard, that we work with.

In the especially cool 2005 growing season the grapes were picked

on November 3rd at sugar levels between 23.8 and 24.8 brix. It is one

of our most aromatically expressive wines. On the nose you smell

berries, sage, an raspberry with hints of mushroom and earth. The

palate is rich and velvet-like with sweet raspberry and plum fruits

and flavors of bacon and truffles. This is a concentrated, complex,

and compelling Syrah that makes for fine immediate drinking yet

will undoubtedly improve with several hours aeration or several years

of aging.

Wine Spectator Magazine: 91 Points. Dense, showing pungent pepper

and crushed berry, with hints of mineral, gravel and white pepper.

Has an assertive finish, with chewy tannins. Drink now through 2013.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine: 90 Points. Shows the distinctive crushed

pepper aroma of a fine Northern Rhone Syrah, although the wine is

much softer than anything from that region. The softness makes it

gentle and easy to enjoy now, with its delicious flavors of

blackberries, cherries, black raspberries, plums and milk chocolate.