Winemaker Notes
24 year old vines planted at 850’ elevation above the town of Occidental about four miles from the Pacific ocean on the Sonoma Coast.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Such an inviting, peppered nose of black peppercorn, hot paprika and turmeric with notes of blackberries, black cherries and blackcurrants in the background. Medium-to full-bodied, this immediately pulls you in and does not let go. So much depth and flavor with concentration and consistent intensity. Sleek. There is such fine precision here that allows for nuance and delicacy in the floral and mineral notes, adding layers and layers of compelling complexity. One of the best examples of what syrah is capable of on the Sonoma Coast.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A vast appellation covering Sonoma County’s Pacific coastline, the Sonoma Coast AVA runs all the way from the Mendocino County border, south to the San Pablo Bay. The region can actually be divided into two sections—the actual coastal vineyards, marked by marine soils, cool temperatures and saline ocean breezes—and the warmer, drier vineyards further inland, which are still heavily influenced by the Pacific but not quite with same intensity.
Contained within the appellation are the much smaller Fort Ross-Seaview and Petaluma Gap AVAs.
The Sonoma Coast is highly regarded for elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and, increasingly, cool-climate Syrah. The wines have high acidity, moderate alcohol, firm tannin, and balanced ripeness.