Clary Ranch Syrah

10 barrels made. $50/btl.

From AR note sheet:
"19 year old vines planted in sandy clay-loam six miles from the Pacific in the heart of the Petaluma wind gap. Fermented 100% whole cluster with native yeast and basket pressed to neutral French oak barrels for 10 months."

Subtle, nuanced. Quite unusual for California Syrah

Huge wall of reduction. Took a few hours for the fruit to show. Smoked meat and dried herbs. Very structured.

California meets Northern Rhône. Beefy and savory, with black fruit and a lilac aftertaste. Still young and will probably be peaking in 2-3 years.

Eucalyptus, lavender, blue fruit. Quite nice at this stage, especially the nose, but admittedly young. Hoping this has more in the future. Not at the 96 rating just yet.

Beautiful. More later.

Think Cornas

Simply the best domestic Syrah I’ve encountered in 30 years of wine! 12% ABV... brilliant black pepper and dark fruit intensity... but so frigging light. A-R is/are fast becoming one of my top three producers.

Great small producer Syrah with tart blueberry and blackberry. Olive and smoke on the back end. Paired perfectly with the dry aged Tuscan ribeye.

That brie cheese rind on the nose in something else.