Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Syrah hails from the young vines in ourSunset Vineyard block, situated on a northwest-facingexposition that captures afternoon breezes and thesetting sun. The wine is intensely aromatic with freshred and black fruits, wholecluster spiciness, bergamottea, menthol, and black pepper. The layered palatehas a pleasing weight from start to finish, elevated bya steadily building brightness. What makes is mostintriguing is the range of savory flavors that complimentthe gorgeous depth of fruit.
Blend: 99% Syrah, 1% Viognier
Professional Ratings
-
Vinous
The 2021 Syrah, a blend of 40% estate and 60% purchased fruit, is packed with inky dark fruit, lavender, dried flowers, black pepper and mint. A touch of whole cluster savoriness and Viognier perfume give the 2021 tons of aromatic complexity. I would give this a year or two to come together. There's terrific freshness and verve here.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Ripe blackberries, bouquet garni, violets, and a kiss of olive and game all emerge from the 2021 Syrah. A medium-bodied, nicely balanced Syrah, it has supple tannins and benefits from air, so give bottles a short decant if drinking any time soon. It should easily evolve for at least a decade.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Deeply colored in the glass and savory on the nose, this wine wafts fresh raspberry and black olive aromas from the glass. The palate gives blackberry, licorice, intense black pepper and anise before a taut and spicy finish hangs around to keep the party going.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
All of the south-facing Syrah on the winery site has been pulled out, leaving just north-facing blocks. To supplement that production, the 2021 Syrah includes about half purchased fruit from other vineyards in Sonoma. Peppery, herbal and floral nuances accent cherries and raspberries on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied, framed by fine-grained, silky tannins.
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.