Dawn-harvested clusters were partially destemmed to open top fermenters.  Cold soak, punchdowns and fermentation ensued.  Individual lots were membrane pressed (without rolling) a few days after dryness to two year old French oak barrels where they aged sur lies until blending. 

Similar to the previous growing season, 2006 was a cool and late growing season.  Slightly lower vineyard yields and an early summer ten-day heat spike helped the grapes get a bit riper in 2006 than 2005.  The result?  A supremely fruity and pleasing wine.  I’ll forego a long description of the wine’s flavors and attributes because I don’t want to disrupt the perception of its harmony, even with my own words.  The growing season was superb for Syrah, the grapes were picked at the right time and the winemaking was a continuation of the development of character derived from the terroir.  I didn’t realize this would be the best Syrah I’ve ever made.  It has under-promised and over-delivered. 

$39 /bottle                 



The vineyards are located in Coombsville (cooler places east of Napa Carneros); they are a stone’s throw apart.  The synergy of blending within the same grapegrowing neighborhood produces a wine that is more about place than most blends and is more complex than many single vineyard wines.  Cortese Vineyard is the source of Marelle’s intense black fruit and tannic structure.  It is located in the hills above “the avenues”.  Simpkins Vineyard is an east facing, one acre slope located on the corner of North and Second Avenues.  Its Alban selections of Syrah lend sauvage character, meaty notes and supple, voluptuous tannins.  Shearer Vineyard is a west facing, steeply terraced vineyard located at the upper elevation of Coombsville.  This low-yielding vineyard contributes deep purple color and pure, concentrated red fruit.

2005 was a cool and late growing season.  All of these Napa Valley vineyards ripened completely in late September and October.  The wine will retain its deep, youthful color for years.   The nose exudes a complex mix of dark cherry, pomegranate, floral, spicy and meaty aromas.  The fruit core is dominated by perfectly ripe, but not over-ripe, black and red fruits.  Careful elevage produced this harmonious wine which possesses a fine balance of structure, volume and flavor concentration.  Integrated and generous at release, the wine will maintain its vibrant fruit and sweet tannins until 2010-2011 or later.

$39 /bottle                 



A blend of Peay and Napa Valley grapes created a gem of a California bottling. 
Dawn-harvested clusters were partially destemmed to open top fermenters.  Cold soak, punchdowns and fermentation ensued.  Individual lots were membrane pressed (without rolling) a few days after dryness to two year old French oak barrels where they aged sur lies until blending. 

$24 /bottle                 

Notes for previous Marelle releases:

2004 Marelle Marelle Napa Valley Syrah                                2004 Marelle Peay Vineyard Syrah

2003 Marelle Napa Valley Syrah                                               2003 Marelle Peay Vineyard Syrah

2002 Marelle Napa Valley Syrah                                               2001 Marelle Napa Valley Syrah