The Goal: Rich, full-bodied, distinctive Syrah
Petroni
Vineyards Syrah is defined by hillside grape growing. Consequently, there is
a huge fruit and structure component of the wine, that in the cellar we try
to soften and elevate with minimal, but correct, technique.
The Vineyard: Estate Grown
We have two blocks of Syrah on the estate; the Hooker’s Creek and
the Diablo. Hooker’s Creek (year round creek eponymously named by the Civil
War General who settled this area during the revolution in ‘49 with General
Vallejo) is on the lower, gentler South East facing slope on the eastern
edge of our property. Hooker’s gives the finished wine subtle richness and
depth and provides the bulk of the wine. The Diablo block is our most
picturesque, on impossibly steep, south facing, rugged and rocky volcanic
soils. This block adds the power, complexity and spice to the finished wine.
The Vintage: 2005 Excruciatingly Perfect
The long, drawn-out harvest kept us on the edge of our seats as cool weather
reigned for most of the season. Come fall, however, a steady supply of
sunshine finally put us at ease. Though harvest was very late, it was nearly
perfect, thanks to spectacular weather and the extended hang time. Our two
blocks were picked one week apart.
In the Cellar: Balancing complexity with powerful
fruit
The lots were fermented separately in closed-top fermenters following a one
week cold soak. Native yeast and malolactic strains were employed to add
complexity for the fermentation and maceration period which lasted upwards
of four weeks. The wines were runoff as a blend, with the press wine added
shortly thereafter. The Syrah was aged in the tightest grained French oak
barrels with only about 35% new for 16 months. The wine was neither fined or
filtered.
The Wine: Opulent
A black-purple color, the Syrah reveals rich, ripe fruit in both its
appearance and bouquet that given time to open offer aromas of marinated
meat, blueberries, black pepper, and velvety chocolate. Almost tasting more
like food than liquid, the aforementioned olfactory tones come through in
the mouth as well, marrying the sheer weight of the wine with a persistently
concentrated fruit profile. The...finish...lasts...forever...
2005
Syrah
Variety: 100% Syrah
Appellation: Sonoma Valley, Estate grown
Harvest: October 2005
Fermentation: 100% native yeast and malolactic bacteria
Aging: Sixteen months in new and used French Oak
Production: 150 cases
