Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
It is hard to believe that Plumpjack could make an even blacker purple wine than the 2014, but they have done just that with the 2015 Syrah. Slightly lower in alcohol at 15%, versus the 15.4% of the 2014, the opaque purple wine offers up blueberry and blackberry liqueur, charcoal, incense and white flowers in a gorgeously voluptuously textured wine that doesn’t quite show the nuances and delineation of the 2014, but keep in mind it is one year younger. This is packed and stacked and another potentially brilliant Syrah from Plumpjack. I wonder what their fruit source might be?
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James Suckling
The spices, meat, peppers and ripe fruit are persuasive on the nose. Full-bodied, round and rich with lots of chocolate and juicy fruit on the finish. So delicious. Drink now or hold
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Wine Spectator
A muscular backbone is layered with bold and rich flavors, offering notes of blackberry, mocha and savory licorice that build speed toward big but refined tannins. Best from 2019 through 2027.
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.