Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Another wine that blew me away in the lineup, the 2017 Syrah Papa's Block comes from the Russian River Valley and is 100% Syrah that saw 20% stems and 24% new French oak. Its deep purple color is followed by extraordinary notes of blue fruits, liquid violets, lavender, ground pepper, and some background meatiness. This quintessential California Syrah offers full-bodied richness, building, sweet tannins, incredible purity of fruit, and a finish that won’t quit. It’s going to be up there with some of the finest wines from California in the vintage! Bravo.
-
Wine Spectator
Dynamic and deeply structured, with evocative wild berry, smoked game and cracked pepper flavors that build tension and intensity toward well-buffed tannins. Best from 2021 through 2029.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Aged in 24% new French oak, the deep purple-black colored 2017 Syrah Papa's Block (100% Syrah) features notes of green olive, peppercorn, fried sage, rosemary and cured meats with dried lilac, warm blackcurrant and black cherries. Full-bodied, it's mineral-driven in the mouth with a sanguine character, very firm chewy tannins and just enough freshness to carry the finish. 364 cases produced.
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 standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.