2005 SYRAH MELVILLE
Santa Rita Hills

Although it may not seem like it, winemaking can be arduous. We spend most of the year working with our growers to get them to do everything just right, then at harvest there is only a moment in time to capture the grapes at their peak. For the winemaker, the real work begins as the grapes come in from the field--worrying over every one of the thousand decisions that ultimately determine how the wine works out. Being so intimately involved with a wine for so long I'm ready to take a break from it after bottling, and sometimes avoid tasting it for a while to gain a little perspective.

This is one of those wines that I hadn't tasted for close to a year, so I was taken by surprise with its dramatic aroma! It's all coffee and exotic spices presented in a forward, sexy way. It's so alluring! The flavors are just as compelling, balancing richness and concentration with vintage 2005's best attributes: freshness and liveliness. Sure, it could use more time in the bottle, but it is a pleasure to drink today.