Wine Color: Red

Vintage: 2004

Varietals: 91% Syrah, 8% Barbera, 1% Zinfandel

Appellation: 100% Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay

Winemaker: Karl D. Wente

Alcohol: 13.5%

PH: 3.75

Acid: 0.59g/100ml

Residual Sugar: Dry

Vineyard:

In 1918, Ernest and Herman Wente began raising Shorthorn cattle in
the southern hills and ridge lands bordering the Livermore Valley.  This ranching
endeavor helped Wente Vineyards survive Prohibition and the Depression years.
Years later, the hills and canyons were selected for vineyard sites.  Slopes and
soils were identified as ideal for growing outstanding Syrah. Shorthorn Canyon
Syrah is the Wente family’s tribute to more than 120 years of winemaking and
ranching in the Livermore Valley.

Fermentation:

Each vineyard was harvested separately and fermented in
upright fermenters.  Rack and return was performed twice daily.  Rack and return
is the process of draining all of the free-run juice off of the cap, then pumping
the free-run juice back over the top of the fermenter.  This method increases
color and tannin extraction and improves mouthfeel through the integration of
oxygen.

Aging:

Each blend was aged separately, with part in neutral French and
American oak barrels and part in stainless steel.