Winemaker Notes
Wine Advocate
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Not surprisingly, one of the great Petite Syrahs made in this vintage has again come from the Hayne Vineyard. Turley’s inky/blue/purple-tinged 2005 Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard possesses a boatload of tannin as well as a fabulously concentrated attack and mid-palate. This full-bodied monster reveals beautiful purity and intensity as well as a superb attack and richness. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring and drink it over the next 20-25 years. 92-94 Points
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.