Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Syrah Charles Heintz Vineyard has pretty scents of cherry candy, tobacco and spice. The medium-bodied palate is fresh and uplifted, marrying broody Syrah character with crunchy fruits and bursting acidity, finishing spicy. This lighter style of Syrah will pair well with a wide variety of cuisines. Best After 2027
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Cruse Wine Co. Charles Heintz Vineyard Syrah exhibits elegance and panache. TASTING NOTES: This wine brings delightful aroma and flavors of red and black fruit, with a spice hint. Enjoy it with crushed, black peppercorn, roast chicken with garden-fresh arugula, and baby spinach. (Tasted: March 31, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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.”
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.