Pax Obsidian Syrah 2006
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The phenomenal 2006 Syrah Obsidian, from a Knight’s Valley vineyard planted in black marble-like soils, reveals copious aromas of bacon fat, meat juices, blackberry liqueur, smoked herbs, and burning embers. Full-bodied with superb texture and length as well as an amazing 50-second finish, this beauty just goes from strength to strength, admirably displaying the incredible potential of this unusual obsidian soil terroir. Consume it over the next decade.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
We chose the two PAX Syrahs for our retrospective look at how California Syrah's would do after a relatively lengthy stay in cellar with an eye to discovering how this one, with a stated alcohol content of 15.3%, and its not-so-ripe, lower-octane companion (13.5% abv) from the cool Green Valley district would compare. Conventional wisdom, of course, would dictate that the latter would age better, but both have done equally well with time. This one is riper and richer, yet for all of its extra weight, it has retained fine fruity brightness and energy, and, if anything is still a bit tight and has the balance to warrant further age.
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Pax Wine Cellars is focusing on the production of premium vineyard-designated Syrah based wines from the North Coast of California. We hope to eventually add a Grenache based wine, and a Northern Rhone inspired white wine. Quality is key and sourcing exceptional sources for these two wines is paramount. Our Mission Statement is simply stated; “To produce reference point Syrah based wines that are indicative of where they are grown”. We are not trying to replicate any other Syrah produced in the world; Hermitage can only be made from one place. Our intent is to create unique wines with strong personalities of where they are grown. We believe that the cooler climates along the northern coast of California have the potential to produce world-class Syrah, and that is our goal. We utilize traditional winemaking techniques; it is a style of winemaking that is really without a style. The uniqueness of the growing sites for each of these vineyards should give the wine its personality; it is our job to encourage that personality to shine through. We feel the best way to accomplish this is by utilizing Indigenous fermentations, minimal handling, unobtrusive use of the finest French oak and bottling without filtering or fining. This approach to winemaking is very pure and unadulterated; therefore the wines will typically vary in color, alcohol, pH and most other characteristics that determine any given winery's ‘style’. Each of our wines is the purest expression of that vineyards fruit that we are able to capture in the bottle. This is the reason that sourcing vineyards of exception or at least vineyards that have ‘something to say’ is the single most important thing that we can do to guarantee our success. We spend, as much time in our vineyards as we can. It is simply the only way. We lease our parcels by the acre or row when necessary, and we encourage organic farming practices. Low yields are a rule and each vine is cared for individually.
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 small and picturesque valley separating Napa Valley on its south border and Alexander Valley to its north, Knights Valley excels in similar varieties as the two aforementioned appellations, namely red Bordeaux varieties and blends, as well as Sauvignon blanc. Originally established by Beringer Vineyards, today several outstanding producers claim acreage here. The circadian cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean create a nighttime respite for vineyards during the hot growing season.