2007 Westerhold Family Vineyards Syrah (Bennet Valley)

"From the minute we started pressing this wine, it has always spoken to the fruit's pure blackberry and boysenberry flavors. Aromatically, the wine shows an initial wave of dark fruits and white pepper, but underneath lies hints of spice and a gentle kiss of mocha. While the flavors and scents come from the vineyard, the textures are reminiscent of the wine's Northern Rhone ancestry. Even though the wine is very rich and seductive, it never comes across as heavy or syrupy. On the palate, it is lively and has the verve to compliment even the heartiest dishes." ~ Russell Bevan, Winemaker.

For the second year in a row Westerhold Family Vineyards and Winemaker Russell Bevan have earned the right to take home the highly coveted barrel trophy and “Coat du Rhone” blazer in the 2011 Syrah Shoot-Out at the Hospice du Rhone celebration held in Paso Robles, California.

Each year, the highly anticipated Syrah Shoot-Out hosts a small gathering of winemakers who come together to blind-taste and rate Syrahs made by their peers. This year thirty-nine 2008 Syrahs from around the world were blind-tasted and judged by fellow winemakers, and Westerhold’s 2008 Bennett Valley Syrah took top honors.  Last year they also won with their 2007 Bennett Valley Syrah.  Bevan is only the second winemaker to have back-to-back wins in the Shoot-out in the event’s nineteen year history.

www.westerholdwines.com