Bridlewood Estate Winery Syrah Paso Robles Reserve 2004

Winemaker's Notes:

While our Central Coast Selection is designed to blend flavors from five major AVA's ranging from warm climates (region III)with those from cold climate regions (region II). The Reserve Syrah is designed to showcase the best wine that can be assembled in a particular vintage. The selection of blends by the winemaker David Hopkins starts at fermentation and is finalized after aging is almost complete. Cold climate, warm climate, co-fermentation, extended maceration and individual barrel selection all contribute to the assemblage. The wine is a blend of portions from lots of French and American oak that have been selected to showcase the natural fruit flavors that display varietal character. Aging, finning, and racking are lot specific with the final cuvee assembled 18 months after harvest. Flavor profile: Aromas: It opens with spice, blackberry and plum and earthy notes. As it breathes, it's dark berry and plum nose starts to predominate. It finishes with hints of violets, chocolate, coffee and tarry notes after substantial airing. Flavors: Full bodied with soft but powerful tannins, The wine starts with blackberry jam, violets and plum. The fruit flavors of dark berries combine with mouth filling tannins form a long silky Mid-palate and ending with a clean lingering finish. While this wine is already balanced and drinking well, the moderate alcohol acidity and tannin structure will allow this wine to improve with additional cellaring and drink well for an additional five years. Blend Composition: SYRAH TANNAT PETITE SIRAH VIOGNIER Bottling Analysis: ALC: 14.5 % Cases Produced 2200