World renowned. Washington grown.

2004 Reserve Syrah

90 pts - Wine Spectator

Tasting Notes
“This Reserve Syrah, crafted in a Cote Rotie style, boasts generous Syrah aromatics of white pepper, cocoa and blueberry, with hints of Viognier’s subtly sweet orange peel, pear and rose petal. Spice and earthy overtones, hallmarks of the Horse Heaven Hills terroir, are followed by mouth-filling flavors of dark chocolate, cocoa, and roasted coffee bean and a seductive blueberry-raspberry fi nish.” -Ray Einberger, Winemaker

Growing Season

• A hot, dry growing season created ideal flavor maturity and promoted an early harvest start.
• Cool temperatures and intermittent rain in mid-September prompted extended hang time, which allowed the grapes to reach ideal physiologic maturing
• The 2004 harvest is characterized by smaller berry and cluster size, with intense fl avors, good sugar development and high natural acidity.

Vineyards

• The Horse Heaven Hills appellation hosts two vineyards sites– one for Syrah and one for Viognier–that are the sole contributors to the Reserve Syrah program.
• Syrah has an affi nity for the region’s warm daytime temperatures during summer months and cooler temperatures during the ripening season. Lower temperatures during ripening concentrate aromatics and enhance complexity.
• The region’s low rainfall stresses the vines and ultimately yields concentrated fruit with depth and varietal expression.

Vinification

• Grapes were destemmed and crushed with 20% whole berries remaining.
• Syrah co-fermented with whole berry Viognier (0.25%) in open-top fermenters with twice-daily pumpovers or in stainless steel fermenters with punch downs four times daily.
• Lots were blended and placed in half new French and half new American oak barrels for malolactic fermentation.
• The wine was racked by gravity fl ow at three month intervals during its 20 months in barrels.

Technical Data

• Total acidity: 0.61 g/100ml
• pH: 3.74
• Alcohol: 14.2%

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