2017 Syrah

An aromatic wine with a rich, complex personality, this wine displays notes of blueberry, white pepper, sandalwood, orange peel, black olive, cumin, and bay laurel. The mouthfeel is rich and dark, with layers of fruit flavor punctuated by an opulent mid-palate and a weighty texture.

In 2015, we began sourcing a significant portion of our syrah from select cool climate, north-facing vineyards across Sonoma County in order to complement the dense mid-palate and complex fruit spectrum we get from our sun-bathed high-elevation estate fruit.  We have found these cooler sites to produce distinctive wines with a complex meaty and savory character that marry well with the dark concentrated blue and black fruit notes of our estate fruit.  We have traditionally co-fermented our syrah with 2 to 4% viognier, and in 2017 we increased the contribution of viognier to 6.4%. The wine was aged in neutral French oak barrels with minimal racking for 14 months prior to blending and bottling.

 

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Appellation: Sonoma County
Vintage: 2017
Harvest: September 2017
Fermentation: Stainless Steel
Cooperage: 100% Neutral Oak
Blend: 93.6% Syrah
6.4% Viognier
Alcohol: 14.6%
Bottling: February 2019
Production: 1039 cases
Release Date: April 2019
Release Price: $62.00

Reviews

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  • Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Issue 245 End of October 2019 - Rating: 93

    The 2017 Syrah is made up of 93.6% Syrah and 6.4% Viognier, a slightly higher Viognier co-ferment this vintage. It was made with about 20% whole bunches and no new oak was used. It bursts from the glass with bold notes of wild blueberries, fresh black cherries and black raspberries with touches of tar, licorice, cracked pepper, violets and garrigue with a waft of bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid backbone of firm, rounded tannins and racy freshness, finishing with tons of pepper, spice and black fruit layers. 1,039 cases produced.

  • California Grapevine: Volume 46 - Rating: 90

    Medium-dark ruby; attractive, blueberry and blackberry fruit aroma with hints of lavender, rosemary, white pepper, black olive, and sandalwood; full body; rich textured, herbal, meaty, dark berry fruit flavors with a note of dark chocolate; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Drinkable now and over the next two to four years. Very hightly recommended. 

  • Vinous: January 2020 - Rating: 92

    The 2017 Syrah is a powerful, hulking wine endowed with tremendous richness and pure power. Raspberry jam, mint, rose petal and lavender all run through the 2017. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2017 is a decidedly inward wine. Even so, the Syrah has turned out very nicely - that much is evident.

  • Jeb Dunnuck: Napa Valley’s 2017s - Rating: 92

    This estate has always made terrific Syrah and their 2017, which comes all from the Sonoma side of the estate, reveals a medium ruby/purple color as well as classic blackberries (and hints of blueberry) fruits as well as peppery herbs, violets, and hints of lavender and game. The palate doesn’t lose a beat either and is medium to full-bodied, has a wonderful seamlessness, silky tannins, and a great finish. It’s a classic Sonoma Syrah that has loads of character. It’s already hard to resist yet it’s going to evolve easily for 10-12 years.