Winemaker Notes
While the pleasantly chewy tannins of this wine confirm that it too will continue to evolve for a number of years, it has an array of spicy black fruit notes that enliven it for current drinking. Any drinker who is familiar with the distinctive berry/savory character that marks our home vines will readily see how the Sonoma Coast Cuvee is another happy member of the family.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
This is a great value for 100% varietal, cool-climate Syrah, a super earthy funky experience of confounding dried herb, lavender and grilled meat. Thick shocks of white pepper hedonistically dot the landscape.
Editors' Choice
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.