2005 Colgin Cellars Syrah IX Estate Napa Valley.

Good deep ruby. Reticent, wild aromas of black fruits and licorice, with a distinct element of torrefaction. Densely packed and primary, with sharply delineated flavors of blackberry, violet and licorice. A bit less lush than the 2004 but with noteworthy energy and persistence. This wine is aged in all new Burgundy barrels, mostly Francois Freres, Remond and Damy.

The Colgin Syrah is vinified from four separate one acre parcels at IX Estate each with its own site specific attributes. All four plots have a different clone and rootstock combination along with soil changes which create four distinctive components. To craft the most complex final blend, we painstakingly ferment and age all lots separately, selecting only the finest lots. Fermentation and maceration resulted in an average vatting time of 36 to 50 days. After 17 months of barrel ageing this Syrah was racked only once in preparation for bottling. The wine was bottled in March 2007 without fining or filtration. Utilizing many old and modern winemaking techniques, we strive to create a Syrah that is varietally correct, site specific and to uphold the Colgin dedication to quality.

Tasting Notes:

The 2005 is the most aromatic Syrah produced from this estate yet. Our old world clones have taken root so well on this amazing site and are coming into their own, reflecting not only their origin in the Rhone, but also the organic nuances of the IX Estate soils. My first impression of this wine is the tobacco leaf, bacon fat and lilac of the old Hermitage clone that just leap out of the glass. Those elusive aromas are layered by the pervasive meatiness of the Cote Rotie clones, like succulent grilled duck, cured ham, blackberry cobbler, white peppercorns, road tar, and even a hint of orange zest. This wine is deliciously pliant and coating on the palate, and supported by fresh acidity, a telltale sign of the 2005 vintage. It amazes me the weight that this wine has taken on over the course of its life both in barrel and bottle. Though delicious enough to enjoy now, I anticipate this wine will continue to gain weight and length over the next 2-3 years, and will drink beautifully for 10-15 years. If you must enjoy it upon release, be sure to decant for 3 to 4 hours in advance to fully experience the aromatics.