Winemaker Notes
This is the 7th and final vintage of Syrah from the Phoenix Ranch. These biodynamically-farmed vines have once again produced a deep, brooding and powerful wine with the spicy, gutsy, true-Syrah character you have come to love. The added warmth of the vintage pushed the 2017 Scarpa well into the ripe zone, but the spice, olive and meaty tones still shine through.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming all from the Phoenix Ranch Vineyard, the 2017 Syrah Scarpa (100% Syrah brought up in two-thirds new French oak) is a beautiful, elegant Syrah that has one foot in Napa and one foot in the Northern Rhône. Gamey blue fruits, spring flowers, peppery herbs, and violet notes give way to a beautifully textured, layered, sexy Syrah that's beautifully done.
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.