Vintage 2005 provided some early hurdles but with attention to detail in the vineyards and with patience to hold harvest until the late season warmth, the vintage actually provided the platform for spectacular wines. A cool, late and somewhat wet spring slowed the start of the growing season and the even and relatively moderate summer conditions pointed to a late harvest. Serious crop thinning and canopy management of the excess vigor was therefore imperative to obtain the desired concentration and ripeness levels. These timely actions early on coupled with excellent late season warmth allowed the slow and steady ripening that the Buoncristianis love, creating optimum concentration of pigment, tannin, flavor, and Syrah varietal expression.

This Syrah is sourced from ultra-premium vineyards managed with our same strict viticultural philosophy. The ‘05 blend was handcrafted from small lots harvested exclusively from the Caldwell Vineyard in Coombsville, the Stagecoach Vineyard in the Vaca mountains above Oakville, and Larry Hyde’s vineyard in Oak Knoll.

Tasting notes from Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast - 91 points: "[The] tannins...make your mouth pucker. Through all that, you can taste the massive flavors of black currants, red licorice, violets, cloves and peppery grilled veal that are pure, dry and profound. Is it an ager? The pedigree suggests yes."

Total Production: 348 cases

Aging Potential: 4-9 years