Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
My favorite in the lineup, the 2013 Syrah Lawer Vineyard comes from the Knights Vineyard in Sonoma and is cofermented with 6% Viognier. This normally goes into the Red Belly cuvee, but they opted to bottle it separately in 2013. Its dark, inky color is followed by gorgeous notes of black and blue fruits, peach pit, flowers and pepper, and this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, fine tannin and a great finish. The Viognier character really starts to show with time in the glass, and this impressive Syrah will keep nicely through 2023.
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.