2005 Novy Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah

Last year’s Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah was so small in production that it was practically non-existent (we made 3 barrels total). This year, thankfully, there is more to go around. The 2005 Novy Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah is a blend of Syrah from the three most famous vineyards in the appellation, the Garys’, Rosella’s, and Pisoni Vineyards. The actual blend is 42% Garys’ Vineyard, 31% Rosella’s Vineyard, and 27% Susan’s Hill Vineyard (that is the name of the Syrah section of the Pisoni Vineyard). As is always the case, the Syrah from Monterey is some of our last fruit harvested with the harvest occurring between October 17 and November 2. The long, cool 2005 growing season produced grapes that ripened fully at lower sugar levels and (unlike 2004) also led to ripe stems thus we were able to utilize some whole cluster fermentation in this wine. The wine spent 14 months in only 12% new oak and was bottled as gently as possible. The 2005 Novy Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah is one of several success stories from the 2005 Syrah vintage. The vintage was so cool that it gave us pause and we were concerned that the fruit would never fully ripen. However, it actually proved to be a great asset and helped produce wines of more complexity than any vintage since 2001. The 2005 Novy Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah is deep and rich, with a plush mouthfeel, hints of game, anise, espresso, and white pepper. Undoubtedly this Syrah will age well but the velvet-like texture is so seductive that it is not at all difficult to pop a bottle now and enjoy it .