Winemaker Notes
Step into the wild with the 2021 County Line Syrah Sonoma Coast. A deep, mesmerizing violet color extends to the nose, joining dark fruited bramble notes of blackberry jam. Flavorsome hints of black pepper, mixed olives, wild mushrooms, and cured game fill this cool-climate Syrah with woodsy character. Each satiating sip grips the palate with tingling acidity and smooth, muscular tannins. This cozy wine has warm notes well-suited for pairing with a traditional duck confit or enjoyed alongside spicy mushroom moussaka.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Syrah is a deep youthful red with a purple tinge and has lifted, fresh aromas of pepper, red plum, and wet asphalt. Medium to full-bodied, it has ample freshness on the palate, with dark fruit and a clean finish. This is a great value for the range.
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.