93 Points - Wine & Spirits
91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Gold Medal - San Francisco International Wine Competition
The Crane Brothers' 9 acre ranch in the Oak Knoll has been the source of some our favorite wines coming out of the Napa Valley over the past few years. While they do a great job with Napa's flagship, Cabernet Sauvignon, we have really been impressed by their Syrah as well, which does extremely well in certain parts of the Valley when farmed correctly. This family vineyard is farmed organically and sustainably, and the winemaking is done by Al Perry, winemaker and co-owner of Robert Biale, so he is no stranger to working with Syrah. The result is a wonderfully balanced a rich Syrah, with the 2007 vintage garnering 93 points from Wine & Spirits magazine, and 91 points from Wine Enthusiast.
The 2007 Crane Bros. Ranch Syrah is garnet in color, with a nose that screams Syrah: smoked bacon, dark berry, and maple aromas fill the room when this wine is poured. The palate is medium to full bodied, with berry, cherry, pepper, spice, and cedar notes woven together seamlessly. Rich yet balanced, with good acidity, this wine has great presence, with a finish that goes on and on. Perfect for a cheeseburger, this is a great accompaniment to a backyard barbecue, and at just $27 offers the concentration of a wine twice the price.
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
Cooperage: 16 months of aging in French Oak barrels (40% new oak)
Alcohol: 14.8%
95 Points
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
Exceptional
In the glass this wine open with aromas of ripe black cherry, bark, cedar, dried orange peel, a touch of black pepper. The palate equally rich with flavors expanding into notes of fresh picked cherry, chocolate, and crushed stone and a touch of white pepper. Together, these lavish flavors, coupled with an elegant mouthfeel and a long engaging finish make a fantastic wine.
96 Points
Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry liqueur, and purple flowers drive the nose of this energetic Syrah which is co-fermented with a whisper of Viognier. Gracing the palate are dark berries, plum, blackberries, peppercorns, hints of sweet tobacco, and well-positioned oak spice with plush acid and rich tannin peaking through the finish.
