2012 Syrah

With enticing flavors of blackberry, plum, black cherry, mountain herbs, jasmine and even a hint of creosote undulating in and out as it evolves in the glass, this is a wine to spend an evening getting to know. One reason I always love our Syrah is that its personality varies so dramatically from vintage to vintage depending on the growing season, with weather conditions at the time of budbreak through veraison and harvest all having a profound effect on the outcome. One constant is the rich, thick texture in the mouth, especially the mid-palate, with just enough tannic astringency to give the wine some size without hampering its silky, elegant profile. The 2012 has the highest percentage of co-fermented viognier that we’ve used to date, at 8% of the overall blend. The effect of this addition is subtle, and is expressed in the floral notes and the complexity of the fruity flavors.

 

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Appellation: Sonoma County
Vintage: 2012
Harvest: October 2012
Fermentation: Stainless Steel
Cooperage: 100% Neutral Oak
Blend: 92% Syrah
8% Viognier
Alcohol: 14.4%
Bottling: March 2014
Production: 940 cases
Release Date: May 2014
Release Price: $60.00

Reviews

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  • The Wine Advocate: October 2014 - Rating: 90

    The 2012 Syrah was co-fermented with 4% Viognier, and was fashioned from six different Syrah clones. It was harvested during the third week of October, fermented in 100% stainless steel, and aged 16 months in neutral French oak. The alcohol came in at14.4%, and the wine shows Syrah’s meaty, lavender and floral notes intermixed with pepper and lard. The result is a sensational, complex, broad, savory, full-bodied, silky textured Syrah that is best drunk over the next 5-7 years.

  • California Grapevine: Volume 41, June 2015 - Rating: 90

    Medium-dark ruby; fragrant, spicy, dark cherry and black raspberry fruit aroma with some depth and richness; mediumfull to full body; rich, textured, plummy, red currant and dark cherry fruit flavors that are well balanced and very approachable; medium-full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Shows appealing richness and even some elegance. Very highly recommended. 14.4% alcohol; 940 cases; blended with 8% Viognier; released May 2014. (Group Score: 16.4, 0/1/0; My Score: 17 [90/100], fifth place)

  • Wine Spectator: June 30, 2015 - Rating: 91

    Deeply structured, yet wrapped in a rich, supple texture. Blackberry and smoky cracked pepper aromas are followed by dense flavors of dark plum, bitter chocolate and roasted sage. Drink now through 2023. 940 cases made. - T.F.