Wine Recommendation
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Wine Recommendation

Boyd Family Vineyard 2005 Syrah, Big Ranch Vineyard (Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley)

Boyd Family Vineyard

2005 Syrah, Big Ranch Vineyard
(Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley)



Stan and Joan Boyd planted their Big Ranch Vineyard in 1999 to Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Merlot. The Phelps-clone Syrah was admittedly an after thought. The vineyard is located in the highly regarded Oak Knoll District AVA, known for its clay soils and relatively cool temperatures. The Boyd’s primary business still is selling fruit to premium wineries (95 percent of what they grow is sold), but they produces small lots of own-labeled wine including this brilliant Syrah.

Bright, opaque purple, and very viscous with colored legs, the wine looks just like it should for a young, healthy Syrah. Perfumed and spicy with aromas of jasmine tea, pink rose, orange blossom, cinnamon, red licorice, menthol, and dark cherry, this wine is softly seductive and speaks volumes on varietal character.

On the palate this gorgeous red is round and silky, with the “gras” of Cote Rotie or Grand Cru red Burgundy. Spicy oak notes along with fruity notes of raspberry, boysenberry, red dots, grape lifesaver, cherry cola, and warming notes of green peppercorns and cinnamon round out the wine. The finish is long and fruity.

Reviewed July 18, 2007 by Catherine Fallis.

The Wine

Winery: Boyd Family Vineyard
Vineyard: Big Ranch Vineyard
Vintage: 2005
Wine: Syrah
Appellation: Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley
Grapes: Syrah / Shiraz (94%), Viognier (6%)
Price: 750ml $32.00

Review Date: 7/18/2007

The Reviewer

Catherine Fallis

Founder and President of Planet Grape LLC, a company committed to bringing the joy of wine, food, and good living into the lives of everyday people, Catherine is creator of the “grape goddess guides to good living,” a series of books, television presentations, seminars, and e-learning programs. The fifth woman in the world to become a Master Sommelier, grape goddess Catherine Fallis is still very much down-to-earth.