Burgundian. Aged in Austrian oak. — a month ago
Nose like a Pinot, mouth feel and ripe fruit almost like a Merlot. — 2 months ago
Hello, California Syrah!!
From everything we’ve read, the Alder Springs Vineyard sounds like a truly majestic place.
It’s isolated in an undeveloped part of northern Mendocino County, situated in California’s North Coast region, where the steep and rugged terrain meet sweeping views of the ocean, bordered by rivers, redwoods, and snowcapped mountains… elevation stretches up to 1,800 feet above sea level.
It’s no wonder so many acclaimed producers, like Pax Mahle, source their fruit from here, where vines are sustainably farmed and cared for by Stuart Bewley. We were fortunate to visit Pax in Sebastopol in 2022, where we picked up this 2011 Cahto Ridge Alder Springs Vineyard Syrah. We’ve been waiting patiently to taste it. And here we are.
100% Syrah. Whole cluster fermented. Aged 12 months in neutral French oak barrels.
This wine is deep ruby trending towards garnet. The aromas are concentrated with ripe boysenberry, black cherry, blackcurrant, next to violet, black peppercorn, licorice, cured meat, peat moss, smoke, clove, leather and olive notes. On the palate, it is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body, high alcohol (14.6% ABV), medium (+) fine-grained tannins, and a long, elegant finish.
It’s both elegant and wild all at the same time and we love it.
Cheers! — 3 months ago
Narcoosee’s FL - 2022 — a month ago
Inky in color with a short purplish rim.
Strong nose with black fruits, cedar, licorice, chocolates, light vegetables, wild flowers and peppercorn.
Full-bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black cherries, currants, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, herbs, licorice, dark chocolates, light earth and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This young Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Napa Valley is already delicious.
Rich and engaging. Powerful and dark. Still a little unforgiving. Spicy and fruit forward.
Much earthier on the nose than on the palate. Only after 2.5 hours it balances out, so be patient.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years, and has good potential to become a 94+ point wine. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.
I Had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent.
Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food. Will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.
A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. Grapes were handpicked and aged for 18 months in mostly French oak barrels.
14.2% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$95. — 2 months ago
Light red fruit, a bit earthy. A bit Burgundian. — a month ago
Complex Zinfandel field blend, with nice interplay of flavors and textures—fruit, tannin, acid and earth, that evolves in the mouth. Perfumed and drinkable by itself. Fine example of Sonoma County Zin. Tasted the 2021 vintage at the winery. — 2 months ago
Pat Mead
Loved the 2021 Vintage and the 2022 is wonderful! Fruity, crisp and delicious!! One of my favorites! — 7 days ago