2003 Syrah, Castle Rock Vineyard, Napa
Valley
With the philosophy deeply ingrained in his
psyche that wine is a liquid food, Gary
Miller, an accomplished chef, parlayed his
career in the food industry to follow his
passion...winemaking. Gary has worked for
such notable wine producers as La Jota,
Martinelli, and Robert Biale. His own
brand, Miller Wine Works, is an expression
of all the paths Gary's life has taken,
from being raised in a rural, Western New
York family to becoming a Napa Valley
vintner. As a chef, Gary fully understands
the necessity of integration and balance
when the fruits of the land intermingle
with the fruits of one's labor. Who
better than a chef-winemaker to bring forth
skillfully integrated, well-balanced wine?
In the Mt. Veeder appellation sits Castle Rock Vineyard. Its viticulturist Agustin
Salinas farms 35.6 acres of mountainside vineyards, with elevations from 1,000 to
1,300 feet. Marine influences keep this vineyard slightly cooler than the valley floor,
and it is usually above the fog line, so it receives more total sunlight hours than valley
floor. Soils consist of light sandy to heavy clay loams. There are only 2.5 acres planted
to Syrah. All vines are on a VSP trellising. Neighbors of distinction are the Hess
Collection and Chandon (still wine production). Continually farmed since 1880, and
the home to one of the original gravity flow ghost wineries, Castle Rock Vineyard is the
unknown jewel of the Mt. Veeder appellation. It enjoys surrounding forests of bay,
redwoods, firs, Madrone and manzanita. The terraced vineyards are very low yielding
with small berries with concentrated fruit flavors, and beautifully soft tannins.
Technical data:
| Varietal Content |
100% Syrah |
| Aging |
37.5% new French oak for 16 months |
| Titratable Acidity |
0.61 g/100ml |
| pH |
3.93 |
| Alcohol |
15.7% |
| Release Date |
December 1, 2005 |
| Case
Production |
97 cases |
Winemaker Notes:
The 2003 Miller Wine Works Syrah,
Castle Rock Vineyard, Napa Valley exhibits a fleshy, medium-body that is
loaded with ripe red plum and generously
spiced red berries. The sweet oak spice
notes are seamlessly integrated, and it has
a fine tannin structure that will have this
wine age well; although, it is quite
pleasant for immediate enjoyment today.
Suggested
Retail:
$38.00
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