Burgess Cellars 2005 Syrah, Napa Valley

Purchase Burgess Cellars 2005 Syrah, Napa Valley

Syrah – Napa Valley

Vintage: 2005
Region: Napa Valley, California
Grape Variety: 90% Syrah, 10% Grenache
Vineyard location: Estate Vineyard on Eastern side of Howell Mountain above Pope Valley
Winemaking data: 100% malolactic; Alcohol 13.8% Bottle size: 750ml

Description:
2005 was a harvest where aggressive actions yielded us a wonderful harvest. There was a tremendous heat wave during harvest, and to bring the fruit in as it matured required bring on extra picking crews to work full days. If it were not for that, we could have had compromised our wine. We carefully fermented the wine, using a good amount of aeration during the primary fermentation to assist the yeast. 18 months of barrel aging took place in 50/50 American and French Oak, 25% of which were new. The low ratio of new oak is to preserve the beauty of the grape.

Tasting notes:
The brilliant wine is a gorgeous black- ruby color showing off its hue around the edges. The pure, vibrant aromas are of blackberries, blueberries, allspice, and sweet flowers, including a hint of gardenia. A backbone of vibrant acidity gives this wine a refreshing palate, much like biting into a crisp, ripe plum. Chefs will love how this wine interacts with food because of its balance, complexity, and richness. This wine will complement various foods from grilled vegetables and meats to beet salads with goat cheese and toasted pine nuts to hummus and baba ganoush. As a first course wine, it handles higher acid foods with ease and leaves the palate cleansed.

Accolades:

• Grill up or pan-fry a nice T-bone in butter and garlic and go to heaven with this rich Syrah. It’s dry and firmly tannic, with gorgeous blackberry, currant, licorice, violet, Tabasco and pepper flavors. Drink now or soon. S.H.  (2/1/2009)  - 92 points
  

• Best buy - "A super ripe Napa Valley Syrah, this has the dense fruit richness of the style, along with plenty of alcohol and tannin to balance that black fruit" Wine and Spirits

• "Wow, a syrah with table manners!" Thomas Verdillo, Tommaso's

• Intense and focused, with lively blackberry and wild berry flavors that are full bodied and firmly tannic, ending with rustic, minerally edge." Wine Spectator 02/09

Purchase Burgess Cellars 2005 Syrah, Napa Valley

Category: Browse All Wines / Syrah