2006 Gary's Improv Syrah

A classic Rhone-style Syrah with aromas of smoked meats, white pepper and ripe blueberry. A medium-bodied wine with bright fruit flavors like ripe plum and black currant that intermingle with pepper, vanilla and hints of anise, leading to a well-balanced mouthfeel and long, smooth finish.

Quarterly Review of Wines, Summer 2009 Five-Star California Syrah "Plush, pure, silky, utterly delicious, blackberry and vanilla crème flavors."

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, July 2009 One Puff, 87 Points "Its mild touches of berries and plums are overlain by milk chocolate and wisps of peppery spice in the nose..."

The fruit for our 2006 Syrah comes from Page Nord Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District located south of Yountville. This area produces a cooler climate than other regions in the Napa Valley, delivering medium-sized berries with good concentrated fruit flavor. Page Nord Vineyards is farmed using sustainable practices and is Green Certified by “Fish Friendly Farming.”

The 2006 vintage started with a cool wet spring and late bud break, followed by mild summer temperatures that allowed for longer than normal hang times. This resulted in wines with good intensity, concentration and balance. The wine was aged for 20 months in 25% new French Oak and 75% used French and American Oak.