Winemaker Notes
#6 Jeb Dunnuck Top 100 of 2025
The wine is a very dark purple. Opaque. A deep, redolent nose of blackberries, cassis, tar, white lilies, and fresh cream. Mouthwatering! Full-bodied but quite polished, the wine envelops the palate with oodles of dark berry fruit. Finishes quite long. Compared to Rosella's, less tannic and a bit more opulent, relying more on acidity rather than tannin for structure
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Syrah Papa's Block takes things to the next level, and for lovers of Northern Rhône Syrah, this is going to be one to snap up, as it’s reminiscent of Cornas. Pouring an inky purple/black color, the nose has notes of black pepper, pancetta, dark pure plum liqueur, lavender perfume, and woody earth. Full-bodied, it offers outstanding noble structure and balance, with a long-lasting finish. It’s fantastic now, but it’s going to reward those who wait a few years. Drink 2027-2047.
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.