Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Richer scents of maple smoke and bacon fat integrate well into a sexy purple flower, blackberry and clove-laced black-cherry-syrup character on the nose of this wine, which includes 2% Viognier. A black-pepper-crusted beef quality shows once sipped alongside boysenberries, violets, lilacs, Sichuan peppercorn and even black tea.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Incorporating 2% Viognier, the 2012 Syrah Rattlesnake Rock is pretty and lively, with a lot of black raspberry, cassis, sappy herbs, cracked pepper, violets and mint. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and fresh, it has bright acidity, a silky, finesse-driven personality and a decade of longevity. It drops off slightly on the finish, but has lots to love.
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 rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.