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What We Say 2005 Confluence Zinfandel/Syrah Blend
LIBRARY RAID ALERT!
After three years of covert maneuvering (begging and pleading), Alderbrook gave us access to their secret archive. We chose today’s 2005 Confluence red blend, a delicious wine that we very highly recommend.
SUPERIOR WINE ALERT!
We only showcase wines that we love. When one rises above, we issue these special alerts, to let you know to pay particular attention.
SECRET SAVINGS ALERT:
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Operative: Agent Red
Objective: After more than a three year absence from our pages, send Agent Red back to Alderbrook Winery, in the Dry Creek Valley, where their library is rumored to be holding back some remarkable wines. Infiltrate their private stash and retrieve their best Library selection for our deserving Operatives.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Alderbrook Winery
Wine Subject: 2005 Confluence Zinfandel – Syrah Blend
Winemaker: Bryan Parker
Winery Backgrounder: Zinfandel is related to the Italian Primitivo grape, tracing its origin to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kastelanski. Zinfandel is one of the most versatile varietals with the ability to make wines, both rich to fruity, dark to light, and dry to sweet.
The popularity of Syrah is undeniable. Big and bold in flavor and texture, it packs a concentrated punch of flavor that many people love. This Rhone varietal, although many believe that the grape originated in the Persia region, is 100% French in lineage. The Syrah grape is directly descended from the Monduese Blanche and Dureza varietals and is grown worldwide with great success.
Today’s wine is a delightful blend of both Zinfandel and Syrah, delivering a delicious delight with original flavors, deep aromatics and a fine mouth feel.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Darkest garnet hues, with a darker heart. Coloration is perfectly even, from edge to core. When swirled, tall, skinny legs descend from high on the glass wall. They carry the garnet color of the wine as they move slowly down the glass.
Smell – Sweet and warm, aromatic and lush, with smoky cherry, raspberry, blackberry and warm spice. Just beneath these, bramble, cassis, bitter chocolate, subtle cinnamon, violets and pepper round out the nose..
Feel – Bright and light-weight, up front, then grippy on the edges of the palate. As the wine airs out, it gains in complexity and body. Fine, integrated tannins give the wine a softly plush feel and bright acids provide a great counterpoint that drives flavors to the far corners of the mouth.
Taste – Blackberry, Bing Cherry and dried cranberry are the initial flavors to present themselves. As the wine opens, additional flavors keep appearing, including Black cherry, sweet brown spice, dark chocolate, sweetwoods, slate and hints of star anise and cracked pepper.
Finish – This wine finishes long, with a pronounced, sustained Bing cherry flavor that persists long after other fruit flavors have dwindled.
Conclusion – A little shy at first, this wine comes to life as you spin it in the glass – or after about 30 minutes of decanting. As it airs out, fruits become more authentic and flavorful, delivering additional energy and delight. Fruit flavors really come to life and aromas take on new dimension, making each successive sip and inhalation more of a delight than the last. With plenty of fruit and medium-high acids, this is a fantastic summertime BBQ wine. This wine gets our hearty Wine Spies recommendation!
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the beautiful Alderbrook Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Alderbrook Winery
Awards & Accolades:
About This Wine:
The growing and production of varietal wines has been Alderbrook’s focus since the winery’s founding in 1981. Having made wonderful varietally labeled wines for over 20 years it is exciting to share with you this new endeavor. Confluence is the result of the harmonious blending of two varietals we feel quite passionate about; Zinfandel and Syrah. The wine is bold and aromatic, displaying simultaneously the bright red fruit tones of Zinfandel and the deeper, smoky notes associated with Syrah. The structure is firm but round with a mouth-filling finish.
About The Winery:
Gathering at the table has always been at the heart of the Terlato family. From my childhood, I can remember dinners and evening gatherings with friends and family, laughing and enjoying each other’s company with Verdi or Puccini playing in the background. Of course, there was plenty of good wine, well prepared food and lively conversation.
Now when we gather with my sons John and Bill and their children, we can enjoy the wines that we market and the wines we produce. Rutherford Hill, Chimney Rock, Sanford, Alderbrook, and our namesake label Terlato Family Vineyards, are wines made to be worthy of the moments of your life—carefully crafted, using sustainable farming techniques and always a pleasure.
We are the Terlato family and our commitment is to quality wines that you can share with your friends and family, as you take the time to gather around the table as we do- enjoying quality wine, carefully prepared food, good conversation and each others company.
Enjoy,
Anthony Terlato and family
About The Winemaker:
Bryan Parker joined Terlato Wine Group in June 2003, and is the winemaker for Alderbrook Winery, reporting directly to Doug Fletcher. Parker came to Alderbrook Winery from Pine Ridge Winery in Napa Valley, where he was assistant winemaker for two years.
A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in chemistry, Parker earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Illinois, and also studied viticulture and enology extensively at UC Davis.
Along with a foundation of technical and scientific expertise, Bryan brings a powerful intellectual curiosity and a passion for making great wine, Fletcher says. We’re fortunate to have him working with us.
Technical Analysis:
Alcohol: 14.8%
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: 60% Zinfandel & 40% Syrah
Appellation: Dry Creek Va;;ey
Fermentation Time: 13 days average, pressed at dryness
Length/Type of Aging: 15 months in French Oak (30% new)
