Vineyard Summary Crossroads Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley (estate) 6 acres planted in 1997 Alluvial sandy loam with limestone Sheltered site with steady maturation Syrah Noir clone Harvest Date October 10 Barrel Aging 18 months French oak (50% new) Varietal Composition Syrah 100% Final Analysis Alcohol by Volume 15.0% TA .69 PH 3.56 Total Production 635 cases

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TASTING NOTES

Our 2005 Syrah from Crossroads Vineyard begins with charming aromas of black fruits, clove and sandalwood. The palate is round and juicy, offering flavors of black cherry and blackberry with hints of vanilla spice and smoked bacon. Accents of cedar accompany supple tannins on a full, lingering finish.

Winemaker Chuck Carlson

CROSSROADS VINEYARD

Our estate Crossroads Vineyard occupies an oak-studded nook adjacent to our winery in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Here, well-drained soils of sandy loam and limestone impart intensity and complexity to the fruit. The sheltered setting acts as a trap for afternoon warmth, which slowly yields to coastal breezes for optimal ripening of the grapes. We chose the Syrah Noir clone as the ideal match for this terrior, and it rewards us with a velvety wine with rich black fruit flavors and exotic spice nuances.

WINEMAKING

After gentle destemming, the must was cold soaked for five days prior to fermentation to capture the fruit's pure character and color. Fermentation was initiated with D254 yeast, a Rhône Valley strain that enhances mouthfeel and mid-palate richness. The pomace was pressed in a traditional wooden basket press to ensure pure flavor and color extraction. The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

ABOUT CURTIS WINERY

Since our inaugural vintage in 1995, we have specialized in small lots of Rhône-style wines from Santa Barbara County's Santa Ynez Valley. Our vineyards are nestled into the sun-kissed coastal terrain surrounding our winer, where a singular synergy of soil and climate yields grapes of remarkable intensity and balance. Winemaker Chuck Carlson crafts our wines in small individual lots, employing the gentlest hands-on methods to nurture every nuance of both vineyard and vintage. We are honored to share with you what nature alone can give us.