Monticello Vineyards|Corley Family Napa Valley

The Corley family, longtime growers in the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley, has released their first Syrah. And what a beaut it is, too. There’s lovely black cherry and some strawberry aromas, while in the mouth, the wine is big and youthful. The structure is substantial with earth, tar and minerality, while the fruit is juicy on a long finish. Hold onto it for a year and then see it age over the next 10.

The Corley’s, who also release their wines under the Monticello Vineyards label, have utilized ENTAV clones (L’Etablissement National Technique pour l’Amelioration de la Viticulture or the Technical National Establishment for the Improvement of the Vine) from Domaine de l’Espiguette in France that are getting much play here. These clones, which have smaller clusters compared to other Syrah clones, produce grapes that yield full-bodied, deeply colored wines.

The wine was aged in French oak, only 20 percent of which was new. The listed alcohol percentage on the label is 14.5 percent.

Reviewed September 27, 2006 by Alan Goldfarb.