2005 Fess Parker's Vineyard Syrah

Varietals:	83% Syrah, 17% Petite Syrah
Appellation:	Santa Barbara County
Alcohol:	14.6%
Comments:	Layers upon layers of aromatics, textures and flavors that seem to flow from the beginning to the end and back to the beginning again. We have been producing wine from these vineyards since 1997 and with each year the fruit just seems to get better and more complex. With that said, the 2005 vintage has gone further then any other Fess Parker has gone. The black fruits are darker; the red fruit brighter, the mid-palate is almost a diving board to a finish that just seems to go on and on. The essence of Central coast Syrah.
Reviews:	Charles Olken Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: 92 points Intensely aromatic and packed with rich oak, blackberry fruit and loads of varietal spice, this deep, highly extracted Syrah is as well-balanced as it is impressively stuffed. It displays a great sense of strength and stamina from start to finish, and, although involving and wonderfully showy even when young, it has all the right pieces in all the right places to encourage keeping for anywhere from five to ten years.
	James Laube Wine Spectator: 91 points Rustic, showing intense, ripe dried currant and berry fruit, with anise, mineral and sage notes. Gains depth and richness, smoothing out the tannins on the finish. Drink now through now 2012.
	Robert M. Parker, Jr The Wine Advocate: 93 points The dense ruby/purple-colored 2005 Syrah Fess Parker Vineyard reveals exceptional fruit as well as notes of road tar, camphor, chocolate, blackberry liqueur, and roasted meat. This superb, full-bodied Syrah possesses silky tannin and a long finish. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years.
Retail:	$30
Expanded Notes:	PDF Printable Version