Winemaker Notes
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Black Bart Syrah opens with stunning dark plum, blackberry and rose scents followed by undercurrents of forest floor and notes of cardamom, cinnamon and clove. Elegantly structured, with a full-bodied lush palate, this wine reveals itself with dark plum, succulent blackberry and cocoa flavors, culminating in a long velvety finish tinged with black pepper. Pair with roast duck with blackberry compote or wild boar ragu pappardelle.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Syrah Black Bart comes from the Stagecoach Vineyard and incorporates 3% Viognier and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Its dense purple color is followed by a beautiful varietal nose of jammy black and blue fruits intermixed with cracked pepper, smoked game, and a touch of bacon fat. This rich, medium to full-bodied, wonderfully balanced Syrah offers plenty of cool climate-like aromatics as well as classic Napa Valley richness and depth on the palate. Drink bottles any time over the coming 8-10 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Black Bart Syrah is a blend of 96% Syrah, 3% Viognier and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a bit of swirling to unlock bold, provocative scents of prunes, black cherry preserves and blackberry pie plus hints of peppered salami, violets and star anise. The palate is full-on full-bodied, concentrated and packed with black fruit preserves, supported by soft, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing very long and opulent.
Rating: 93+
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.