Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Blackberries, bay leaf, smoked game, bacon fat, and violet notes all emerge from the 2021 Syrah, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Syrah from this team that has beautiful balance, fine tannins, and a great finish. The purity here is brilliant, and while the focus of this estate is clearly their Cabernet Sauvignon, they make a fabulous Syrah that's well worth seeking out. Drink bottles over the coming decade.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Plumpjack's 2021 Syrah is sourced largely from Carneros, with about a fifth of the blend coming from Atlas Peak. A portion (20% to 25%) was fermented as whole clusters in open-top fermenters. Fabulously wild and complex aromas of cracked pepper, asphalt, hints of roasted meat and black olives, mint, blueberries and blackberries all appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate boasts soft, cocoa powder-like tannins and an enticing touch of licorice on the finish. This is concentrated yet supple, rich while being very drinkable. The bargain in the Plumpjack lineup, it underscores how well Syrah can perform in certain parts of Napa. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.
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.