Fife L'Attitude 39 2005
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Longer daylight hours during the growing season, coupled with clear, warm days and cool nights, rocky, well-drained soils, and favorable exposures on the hillside slopes above the Russian River create a terroir comparable to that of the Rhône, the ancestral home of these varieties.
The 2005 L'Attitude 39 is a wine with more than a little attitude. With a woodsy, dark spice contributed by Syrah, it's loaded with intriguing aromas that bring you to southern France: wild berries, licorice, bitter chocolate, espresso, plus the heady scents of wild herbs, wood spice and sunbaked stones. Charmingly forward and rich on the palate, with a zesty finish that invites another taste.
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With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.