Winemaker Notes
Bright wild berries and blackberry are complemented with abundant spice. Black pepper, clove, vanilla, coconut and a hint of cedar smoke swirl together in the mouthfeel. The finish is a silky mid-palate with sufficient tannin backbone for aging.
After the wine has aged in 100 percent new oak barrels for 22 months, our winemaking team selects the best barrels to represent the Quercus Block vineyard.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Syrah is darker and firmer than the 2009. There is terrific focus and precision to the fruit in this delineated, beautifully articulate wine. Mint, flowers, licorice and spices wrap around the insistent finish.
Range: 90-92 Points
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.