Hill Climber Vineyards

2005 Hill Climber Pilgrimage
Napa Valley Syrah

Napa Valley is an amazingly diverse appellation capable of growing any variety with success. Lately, it is Syrah that is getting lots of attention – even from some elite wineries that are known for Cabernet Sauvignon. The mountains of Napa are producing tremendous Syrah.

We created Hill Climber to produce small lots of Syrah from mountain vineyards in Napa and Sonoma that we think bring out the best this variety has to offer. To taste right, Syrah needs to struggle, and steep sparse soils around here kick Syrah butt, as it were.

The 2005 Pilgrimage has an Oakville / Oak Knoll dynamic going on – one vineyard complementing the other for an exciting whole. Above Oakville, Stagecoach brings intensity, power, and structure, while in Oak Knoll, the Crane Brothers’ Rolly Akers adds classic Syrah character and mid-palate richness.

Vintage Notes:
Wet winter, a mild spring, a healthy fruit set, a long cool summer and nice warm spike in September.

Harvest Dates:
10/4, 10/23

Winemaking:
The fruit was hand-sorted first in the field then again at the winery. Open-top fermentation and punched down three times per day. Pressed to Burgundian oak – 50% new. Aged 16 months.

Alcohol:
15.3%

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes:
Blackish purple with deep berry flavors and signature Syrah beefy, espresso, cocoa, and licorice notes, this muscular Napa Syrah from the excellent 2005 Syrah harvest is drinking beautifully but merits some further bottle age.

Just 178 cases made.


		2005 Hill Climber Pilgrimage Napa Valley Syrah Napa Valley is an amazingly diverse appellation capable of growing any variety with success. Lately, it is Syrah that is getting lots of attention – even from some elite wineries that are known for Cabernet Sauvignon. The mountains of Napa are producing tremendous Syrah. We created Hill Climber to produce small lots of Syrah from mountain vineyards in Napa and Sonoma that we think bring out the best this variety has to offer. To taste right, Syrah needs to struggle, and steep sparse soils around here kick Syrah butt, as it were. The 2005 Pilgrimage has an Oakville / Oak Knoll dynamic going on – one vineyard complementing the other for an exciting whole. Above Oakville, Stagecoach brings intensity, power, and structure, while in Oak Knoll, the Crane Brothers’ Rolly Akers adds classic Syrah character and mid-palate richness. *Vintage Notes:* Wet winter, a mild spring, a healthy fruit set, a long cool summer and nice warm spike in September. *Harvest Dates:* 10/4, 10/23 *Winemaking:* The fruit was hand-sorted first in the field then again at the winery. Open-top fermentation and punched down three times per day. Pressed to Burgundian oak – 50% new. Aged 16 months. *Alcohol:* 15.3% *Winemaker’s Tasting Notes:* Blackish purple with deep berry flavors and signature Syrah beefy, espresso, cocoa, and licorice notes, this muscular Napa Syrah from the excellent 2005 Syrah harvest is drinking beautifully but merits some further bottle age. Just 178 cases made.

	info@hillclimbervineyards.com (707) 257-7555
	Hill Climber Vineyards • 4038 Big Ranch Road • Napa, California • 94558

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