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Our Estate vineyard is one of the coldest vineyards in California growing Syrah. When we purchased the property we were concerned that we would not be able to ripen Pinot noir, much less Syrah. But due to our dry October weather, we have an additional month to ripen our grapes in comparison to other typical Syrah growing regions of the world. It is true October days are shorter and daytime highs rarely exceed 75 degrees, yet these qualities lead to longer hang time that imprints our Syrah with characteristics that speak of our place. In warm climates, Syrah often expresses its darker berry, fruitier, softer personality, emphasizing lushness and soft mouth-feel over the floral tones and notes of minerality, game, leather and pepper found in cooler climate Syrah. To be sure, there is plenty of fruit in our Syrah to balance out these cool climate characteristics though our Syrah will evolve in complexity as these aromas arise and recede over the course of a bottle as well as the wine's life in your cellar. Both of our 2005 Estate Syrahs have the classic cool climate characteristics that made us fall in love with northern Rhône Syrah. These are profound wines. Not your flashy, over-the-top style but complex and intriguing; more Catherine Deneuve than Pamela Anderson. Both wines are made for the long haul and will reward cellaring for as long as you are willing to allow them to evolve.
2005 Peay Vineyards La Bruma Estate Syrah  460 Cases
La Bruma ("the mist or fog") pays tribute to the role fog plays in producing our unique microclimate. The 2005 is a blend of Estrella, UCD1 and clone 470 picked on November 1st and 2nd. It was aged for 15 months in 30% new Cadus, Damy and François Frères French barriques. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The appearance is vibrant red on the rim with a deep red/purple core. The nose is high-toned, revealing layers of aromas and dimensions, in turn; white pepper accenting a core of black cherry fruit is followed by lavender and cherry lozenges. As in 2004, the floral notes serve to lift the nose supported by brown spices. As the wine opens, a streak of iron comes to the fore. Exciting. The mouth is well-balanced with medium tannins that are soft and integrated. The flavors from the nose are confirmed on the palate with added aromas of new leather, cigar box, and increased blood, iron and boar flavors developing with air. This has very good breed and will age tremendously well. Decant for 45 minutes to one hour. I recommend waiting for a few years before trying your first bottle. I would expect the ideal drinking window is 5-9 years from vintage.
2005 Peay Vineyards Les Titans Estate Syrah285 Cases
The cuvée name, Les Titans ("the Giants"), refers to two enormous and ancient redwood trees left by loggers over 100 years ago that flank the blocks of Syrah. The 2005 is a blend of Estrella, UCD1 and Côte Rôtie picked on November 1st-5th. It was aged for 15 months in 31% new Cadus, Ermitage and François Frères French barriques. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Though it shares some of the vintage imprints evident in the 2005 La Bruma Estate Syrah, the 2005 Les Titans Estate Syrah has more fruit and is a "bigger" wine. The nose has a clear note of meatiness (roasted lamb or fennel sausage) and graphite. The mouth hints at youthful flavors of vanilla and blueberry with a true depth of fruit in the mid-palate. As Les Titans opens, meaty, bloody, iron aromas undergird a deep red fruit core with accents of black pepper, brown spices and anise. The tannins are more evident than in La Bruma though silky. Tobacco and fennel linger on the medium to long finish. This is also a very exciting wine and will cellar well. Decant for one hour. I recommend waiting for a few years before trying your first bottle. I would expect the ideal drinking window is 5-9 years from vintage.
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