Sold Out
2005 Crane Brothers "Napa Valley" Syrah
2005 Crane Brothers "Napa Valley" Syrah

Crane Brothers
2005 "Napa Valley" Syrah
Estate Vineyard, Oak Knoll District

Double Gold Medal
- 2009 SF Chronicle Wine Competition

- 2009 NY Finger Lakes Wine Competition

There is nothing we like better than finding a small producer making killer wine at a great price.  We first encountered Crane Brothers when we offered their Napa Cabernet, a stunning value.  An even better value is their Syrah, which is also estate grown on their family ranch in Napa’s Oak Knoll District, using organic and sustainable farming methods. In this somewhat warmer district, Syrah is able to ripen fully offering huge fruit flavor, along with softer tannin, while still having cool nights to preserve acidity.

The 2005 Crane Brothers Napa Valley Syrah is dark ruby in color, with Syrah’s trademark inky core.  The nose is surprisingly red-fruit driven, with strawberry, raspberry and pomegranate, along with a damp earth character.  A nose this fresh and lively is a bit unusual for Syrah, but is definitely welcome.  The palate shows Syrah’s true character, with black cherry, leather, blackberry, eucalyptus and chocolate on the finish.  This is rich and mouth-filling, yet without being heavy, which makes it a perfect foil for game or mushroom dishes.  Syrah seems perpetually poised to become everyone’s favorite “new” red grape, but as long as it remains a little under the radar, it represents a great source of powerful, full bodied red wine at a bargain price.  You simply don’t get wine with this level of intensity and focus for just $25 very often.  Stock up while you can!

Grape Sourcing:  Crane Ranch Vineyard, Oak Knoll Appellation
Varietal Composition:  100% Syrah
Winemaking:  Hand harvested in cool morning hours Fermented in small temperature controlled tanks Hand sorted and cold soaked for 48 hours
Harvest Date:  October 23rd & 27th
Cooperage:  16 months of aging in French Oak barrels (40% new oak)
Alcohol:  15%
Production:  325 Cases

Tasting Notes PDF PDF


More About

<< previous  |  next >>

You may also like:


Whitehall Lane
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

92 Points
Aromas of blackberry, dried fig, black cherry, blackberry coulis, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cigar box.  The palate offers rich and velvety tannins, dark chocolate-covered cherries, black plum, mixed berry pie and toasted walnut.  Long and expressive with loads of flavor.

 $56.00 
Today's Price
$47.60
2021 Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Whitehall Lane
2023 Red Blend, Napa Valley
Tre Leoni

New Release
A ferociously fun Napa Valley blend with depth, balance and big flavor.  Aromas of red currant, fresh strawberries, black plum, vanilla, and notes of cocoa on the nose.  The palate is bursting with fruit ranging from cherries, mixed berry compote, toasted hazelnut and more.  This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins. 

 $36.00 
Today's Price
$30.60
2023 Whitehall Lane Tre Leoni Red Blend

Whitehall Lane
2020 Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap
Sonoma Stage Vineyard

91 Points
Layers of strawberry, baked cherry pie, anise, cherry lollipop, wild game, and spicebox.  On the palate, black cherry jam couples with crème de cassis, mixed berry crisp, rhubarb, and a touch of vanilla.

 $45.00 
Today's Price
$36.00
2020 Whitehall Lane Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir

WineHeist.com
Inside Steals, One Every Week