As a vineyard matures, the winemaker and proprietor begin to notice subtle differences and unique characteristics between blocks and varietals. A sense of place begins to form for those who arduously tend the land and diligently produce the wines. Distinct variations and characters express themselves from vintage to vintage. Weather, maturity and style can play many roles in elevating a vintage from excellent to exceptional. Throughout the highest regarded wine regions in the world, declaring a vintage exceptional is not taken lightly. In the Duoro region of Portugal, declaring a vintage port can make or break a proprietor. They declare selectively, possibly once or twice a decade. In the chateaus of France, a vintage Bordeaux year is only whispered among those who have nurtured the possibility. A vintage of exceptional character and promise should be left to age and develop at the hand of the winemaker, only to be announced when he finds the wine worthy. Stryker Sonoma is no exception to this rule. As the vineyards and character of Stryker Sonoma have matured, certain vintages and varietals begin to shine and show those characteristics that make a wine truly exceptional. When winemaker Tim Hardin strolls through the Stryker Sonoma vineyards, he sees the sense of place that exists upon our estate. Through strenuous hand-harvesting and gentle handling, each block of grapes receives the care required by it’s delicate berries as they slowly ferment into wine. As each new vintage ages in the barrel, Tim learns the slight nuances and balanced character one can expect to find within the finished bottle. It is this continued connection to the land and the wine it produces that allows Tim to see the potential from vintage to vintage. Anticipation builds as each barrel within that vintage is cared for through months of aging. It is not until bottling that Tim may decided to hold back a barrel or two he finds unique, varietals that are an exceptional expression of our sense of place and style. These select barrels become Proprietor’s Red.
Winemaker Tim Hardin first selected barrels for the Proprietor’s Red in 2005, judging two barrels to be of exceptional character and quality. On August 17th, 2007 these barrels were blended and bottled to produce 44 cases of 2005 Proprietor’s Red. The 44 cases then continues to receive another four years of bottle aging in perfectly controlled cellar conditions. This vintage had a growing season and harvest very similar to 1999, recognized as one of the best vintages of the previous decade. The temperatures, only a few degrees below normal, led to a long, cool growing season in 2005. Perfection was created in the Stryker Sonoma vineyard. Complexity, balance and deep rich character developed as the clusters of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit verdot clinged to the vine for just a few weeks longer. Hand-Harvesting and processing the grapes in small vineyard blocks led to an extended fermentation in our 1,500-gallon open top fermentor for a period lasing up to two weeks. Gently hand-pressing the cap of fermenting grapes back into the must repeatedly throughout the days led to the extraction of those complexities that the cool vintage brought us. The result rests in 2005 Proprietor’s Red, an equal blend Estate Clone 15 Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate Petit verdot. It is a truly distinct expression of the art of winemaking, cultivated from the finest grapes, proudly presented by winemaker Tim Hardin and Stryker Sonoma.
Officially released January 1st 2012, this wine is currently available to Club Stryker Sonoma Members. Purchases of 6 bottles or more are shipped in a custom made box for presentation or storage. Club members can purchase this wine by logging onto our website or calling the winery directly.
