More fresh and lively than the '07, yet without the density or plushness, the 2005 Syrah Rattlesnake Rock offers medium to full-bodied notes of cassis, white pepper, iodine, cedar and underbrush. Nicely concentrated, fresh and lively, it gains more and more marine-like iodine and seaweed notes, as well as a firm, angular feel, with time in the glass. I think it has the concentration to continue evolving gracefully, but the tannin/fruit balance here will need to be watched.

The 2005 Syrah Rattlesnake Rock offers up aromas of charcoal, creme de cassis, pepper, and white chocolate. More elegant and restrained than the exuberant, flamboyant 2004, it is reminiscent of a top French Hermitage. Medium to full-bodied with moderately high tannin as well as a richness that builds incrementally in the mouth, this fresh, lively, impressive Syrah should age well for 12-15 years. Impressive Syrahs are being fashioned by proprietor Bradley Brown from his Santa Cruz Mountain vineyards. Unfortunately, quantities are limited for these cuvees (less than 100 cases of the Mandala and about 350 of the Rattlesnake Rock). The 2004s reveal that vintage’s opulence, richness, full-bodied power, and flesh. All the wines are bottled without fining or filtration.Tel. (831) 621-8028; Fax (831) 338-8050