Winemaker Notes
The 2018 "IX Estate" Syrah attracts with alluring notes of violets, plum, and licorice. Warmed spice notes of toasted coriander seed, white pepper, and salt brine entice a sip and are complemented by salivating notes of smoked bacon. Deep, yet elegantly textured tannins frame the palate with a voluminous and juicy finish.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Still showing a bit of youthful tautness, Colgin's 2018 Syrah IX Estate reveals a bit more herbal nuances in its makeup than the other vintages tasted on this occasion, bringing even more complexity into the mix. Sage and bay leaf notes accent blueberry fruit in this full-bodied wine that's elegantly framed by fine-grained tannins while showing fantastic length, energy and balance, finishing with echoing notes of espresso and crushed stone.
-
James Suckling
Amazing aromas of graphite, blackcurrant, black pepper, and blue fruit. Slate, too. Full-bodied, yet so agile and light, in a way that makes it irresistible to taste and drink. The palate is full of flavor with extraordinary mushroom, dried-meat., chocolate and black-fruit character. So long, with a creamy texture from the intense yet fine tannins. Great finish. Hard not to drink now, but will be better in 2025.
-
Wine Spectator
Potent yet polished, this broad-shouldered red offers deep blueberry, bitter chocolate, smoky meat and licorice flavors that build richness and tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.