Saracina Syrah 2005
Vintage and Release Information
Mendocino County 2005
Released September 1, 2008
Production of 223 cases
Varietal Composition
100% Syrah
Technical Data
15.3% alcohol
0.57 gm/100 ml titratable acidity
pH 4.07
Bottled May 18, 2007
Vineyards and Harvest
The fruit was sourced from two unique Mendocino county vineyards. Eaglepoint Ranch, high above the valley floor, is a rare vineyard that combines high elevation (1800 feet), “mountain loam” soil, and meticulous, low-yield farming. This is one of the most coveted and distinctive vineyards in the county. Potato Patch vineyard stands at an elevation of 2200 feet just 10 miles from the Pacific, in the Mendocino Ridge Appellation. The soil is a layer of ancient whitethorn thicket humus on crushed sandstone. Yields here are lower than three tons per acre. Both vineyards are cool and very late ripening.
Winemaking and Cooperage
The grapes were hand-picked at full maturity. Nearly 40% of the fruit was put into open tops as whole clusters and treaded by foot. The remainder was gently crushed on top. The must soaked at a cool temperature for eight days, at which point native yeast fermentation began. During fermentation we used gentle aerative pumpovers to keep the skins in contact with the juice. Post-fermentation maceration with heat followed for approximately one week. The wine was aged in Burgundian oak (50% new) for 18 months, which included six months of native malolactic fermentation. The wine was assembled and bottled without filtration.
Winemaker
Alex MacGregor
Consulting Winemaker
David Ramey
Winemaker's Comments
The saturated purple/black color of our 2005 Syrah is a giveaway that this is serious wine. The nose shows intense blue and black fruits with smoke, bacon and dried herb notes. On the palate the wine shows impressive richness and depth, oak is well integrated and tannins are supple. The wine is a superb expression of the minerality and delineation that high elevation vineyards can achieve with careful and thoughtful winemaking.
