2005 Syrah Port
2005 Syrah Port
Wine Notes
by Barnard Griffin
Vintage Notes
I have always believed that the Syrah grape from the Columbia Valley would make a great Port wine. We have great concentration of flavors and richness in our primary Syrah vineyard; Desert Air, and with good ripeness these qualities can be used to make a great Washington State Port.
2005 Syrah Port
Vineyards
The 2005 growing season was hot, with even deep ripening fruit that did give us Syrah with great sugars and depth. Sugars were very high at harvest and acids were balanced.
I believe that Syrah achieves best results in our climate if allowed to begin its characteristic dehydration. Fruit sources for our 2005 Syrah Port:
100% Desert Air Vineyard Columbia Valley/Columbia Basin
Wine Making
Traditional partial fermentation for Port production
Distilled Syrah Spirits used to halt fermentation
483 cases of 500 ml bottles were produced. Bottled 10/06
Aged in both American and French oak barrels