2005 Syrah "S05" (Las Madres Vineyard, Carneros)
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Tasting Notes
Ten percent whole-stem inclusion contributes to aromas of smoke, olive tapenade, and coffee. The midpalate bursts with sweet, dark fruit. The wine reveals the depth of cooler climate Syrah and is reminiscent of the Northern Rhone. With a much cooler year, we are happy with what the vineyard gave us and amazed with the range of flavors compared to the previous year, 2004 Eno "Matriarch".
Production Notes
The 2005 growing season was exceptionally cool in Carneros. In September, the temperature never got above 90 degrees. The growers usually pick the whole vineyard in one day, but the slow ripening forced us to pick on two different days. The first lot was picked in late October (photos) and the last lot was our latest ever – November 9th. The extra two weeks on the vine contributed to a greater flavor and concentration. We are happy we waited.
The grapes were picked at daybreak. A majority of the fruit was destemmed but not crushed, and cold soaked for 3-6 days in a mixture of T-bins and waffle bins. Various lots had an average of 10% whole stem inclusion. Three different yeast strains, Syrah, Grenache and Vinquiry 15, were added to fermentation vessels, intended to capture the range of dark fruit flavors and increase complexity. Fermentation ranged from 5-8 days. The wine was pressed straight into French oak and aged for 16 months in a mixture of coopers – Francois Freres, Remond, Damy, Quintessence, and Seguin Moreau. 20% of the barrels were new.
This wine is unfiltered and unfined; sediment is expected and natural.
Production: 250 cases
Buy online: $35 (includes free shipping)
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The Vineyard
John Painter and Jean Gadiot-Painter bought their southern Carneros property in 1999 when it was a dilapidated hunting kennel. Over a few years, they have tranformed it into one of the best cool climate syrah vineyards.
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Other 2005 Wines