Sonoma County Syrah

In the running for shocker of the year so far. Not only because of how youthful it was, but in how it cleaned house at a small Syrah tasting with my local group.

I popped this ahead of time to try a glass because I was a bit skeptical of how it would show…my jaw about dropped when I smelled this wine. My goodness…deep and dark florals, violet, stemmy green herbs, black pepper. Wonderfully balanced and integrated on the palate. Whole cluster profile shines through in a supporting role, with the pepper-crusted blackberries, mocha, olive, charcoal. Not rich, not lean, fastball down the middle. Nervy acidity still. This has a cool-climate vibe to it with just a kick of richness to really seduce you. Brilliant. I may have underscored this.

A very quiet wine.

Could probably age a touch more.

Good fruit and oak balance. Decanted. Liked the wine a little better before the decant.

Solid, but very young. Better on day 2. Interesting to see this under screwcap now.

Fun to taste right after the Jamet Syrah. Sweet, oaky and brawny, but persistent, complex and well-made.

The basic syrah offering from Mike Officer provides so much value. Don't love as much as the 13 but this is always amazing for the price.

Could pass for high end paso juice. Great value for balanced full bodied New world style Syrah.

Big boy, fairly woody, very dry

Still a baby. A tasty tasty baby.