2005 Denner Vineyard Syrah

My college friend, Brian Denner, makes this Syrah for his family vineyard in Paso Robles. I have had the 2002, which was made by a different winemaker, but never one that Brian has crafted (2003 and beyond). They started growing and selling grapes, then built a state of the art winemaking facility and tasting room (only seen the pics). Brian came on after stints at Kingston Vineyards, Peachy Canyon, Williams Seylem and others.

I had this wine with Sam Kingston a few months back during a GSM Central Coast wine tasting, but wanted to write about it with a fresh palate. Jim, my father-in-law was in town two weeks ago and we cracked a bottle at BONDA. Unfortunately no Denner wine is sold in CT, but sometimes the Wine Library has it for sale.

On the nose, sweet rubber plant, windex and wild blackberry. "Definitely wild" was one of Jim's comments as he looked at the color and viscosity in the light. "Really good. Can we get any of this?" was his next comment. I have always thought Denner is a great American Syrah, with a nod to the French. New Worldish in style with big jammy fruit but more complexity than 95% of American wines.

Flavors of roasted plum, hints of fig intermingled with bitterness, mellow tannins, and an edge of baby powder. I have 1 bottle left of the 2005, and two of 2002, which I am reserving for Connecticut College graduates.