2005 SYRAHWHITE HAWK
Santa Maria Valley

White Hawk vineyard is a series of rolling hills of sand about 15 miles from the ocean. This ancient sea bed is so devoid of nutrients that the vines struggle to produce a crop. Every July, when things heat up the vines almost give up the ghost, but somehow they struggle through the summer and produce a meager crop of intensely flavored fruit. Being in a moderate climate, the wine usually has a bit of warm climate fruitiness and cool climate peppery-ness.

This 2005 possesses a powerful aroma of exotic spices and ripe black olives that melds into more saline scents of seaweed and earth. White Hawk is always so wild! While full of fruit, it's not overtly fruity. The flavors are more complex than that-it's both spicy and earthy. This wine drinks well now, but has the stuffing for ten more good years.