Christopher Tynan Wines
Judge Family Vineyard Bennett Valley Syrah
Bennett Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Solid on the pop and pour but best on Day 2. The 2018 “Judge Family Vineyard” pours a deep ruby/purpleish color with medium+ viscosity and significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fresh, dark brambles, blueberries, lavender, black pepper, some herb encrusted salami, slate-like minerals, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tart and full of love. There is that wonderful texture too; something that I have come to expect from Christopher Tynan. The 2018 is amongst the most elegant versions of the Judge Family Vineyard Syrahs that I can recall. A very pretty expression indeed. Drink now with patience and through 2035.
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Solid on the pop and pour but best on Day 2. The 2018 “Judge Family Vineyard” pours a deep ruby/purpleish color with medium+ viscosity and significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fresh, dark brambles, blueberries, lavender, black pepper, some herb encrusted salami, slate-like minerals, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tart and full of love. There is that wonderful texture too; something that I have come to expect from Christopher Tynan. The 2018 is amongst the most elegant versions of the Judge Family Vineyard Syrahs that I can recall. A very pretty expression indeed. Drink now with patience and through 2035.
Nov 17th, 2023
White pepper, blue/red fruit, green tobacco, vanilla, dried fig, green coffee bean.
White pepper, blue/red fruit, green tobacco, vanilla, dried fig, green coffee bean.
Oct 30th, 2023Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent notes throughout although this bottle showed slightly reductive on Day 1. The 2016 Christopher Tynan Syrah, "Judge Family Vineyard" pours a deep ruby bordering purple color with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is very expressive. A mix of black, red and blue fruits with lavender, bacon fat, black pepper, burnt pie crust, fine baking spices, black olives and stony minerals. On that palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. Alcohol is medium, bordering medium+. Drink now if you will allow yourself some time to enjoy the ride and should drink well through 2036, with ease.
Every time I drink one of these Tynan Syrahs, I'm consistently struck by their beauty...and it's not like I don't know what to expect. This time, I tried something a little different and poured it alongside a 2018 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph and served them both double-blind to a few of my friend. Everyone was fairly certain that both were from the Northern Rhône and when asked which they preferred, it was unanimously a slight nod to the Tynan. I agree. While both were outstanding examples of Syrah, the Tynan has better balance and is ever so lovely! That may have something to do with the Chave being a couple years younger. Anyway, both were great and I was very pleased to have enjoyed them both together...and helped me appreciate the work that Christopher Tynan is doing every year with the Judge Family Vineyard. Oh...and both wines were a knock-out with grilled lamb chops. Duh.
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent notes throughout although this bottle showed slightly reductive on Day 1. The 2016 Christopher Tynan Syrah, "Judge Family Vineyard" pours a deep ruby bordering purple color with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is very expressive. A mix of black, red and blue fruits with lavender, bacon fat, black pepper, burnt pie crust, fine baking spices, black olives and stony minerals. On that palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. Alcohol is medium, bordering medium+. Drink now if you will allow yourself some time to enjoy the ride and should drink well through 2036, with ease.
Every time I drink one of these Tynan Syrahs, I'm consistently struck by their beauty...and it's not like I don't know what to expect. This time, I tried something a little different and poured it alongside a 2018 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph and served them both double-blind to a few of my friend. Everyone was fairly certain that both were from the Northern Rhône and when asked which they preferred, it was unanimously a slight nod to the Tynan. I agree. While both were outstanding examples of Syrah, the Tynan has better balance and is ever so lovely! That may have something to do with the Chave being a couple years younger. Anyway, both were great and I was very pleased to have enjoyed them both together...and helped me appreciate the work that Christopher Tynan is doing every year with the Judge Family Vineyard. Oh...and both wines were a knock-out with grilled lamb chops. Duh.
Thank you Jay! It’s was nice to enjoy this one in its entirety after me dropping the last one!
Thank you Jay! It’s was nice to enjoy this one in its entirety after me dropping the last one!
1 person found it helpfulJan 28th, 2019
It’s getting into the zone now.
Jeb 98, not sure any Myriad Syrah received that high of rating, but it is Jeb🤷🏼♂️
According to Jeb, Along with the 2013, the 2016 Syrah Judge Family Vineyard is up with the greats, and I’d put this up against any Syrah in California or France. Offering incredible purity of fruit as well as notes of blueberries, blackberries, crushed flowers, gamey meats, and pepper, it’s more forward and opulent than the 2015 yet has fabulous depth and concentration, ripe tannins, and a finish that won’t quit. Hats off to Tynan for another insanely good Syrah that can be drunk today or cellared for 20 years or more.
It’s getting into the zone now.
Jeb 98, not sure any Myriad Syrah received that high of rating, but it is Jeb🤷🏼♂️
According to Jeb, Along with the 2013, the 2016 Syrah Judge Family Vineyard is up with the greats, and I’d put this up against any Syrah in California or France. Offering incredible purity of fruit as well as notes of blueberries, blackberries, crushed flowers, gamey meats, and pepper, it’s more forward and opulent than the 2015 yet has fabulous depth and concentration, ripe tannins, and a finish that won’t quit. Hats off to Tynan for another insanely good Syrah that can be drunk today or cellared for 20 years or more.
Jeb 98, this will be great in 5-10 years. Immediately grabbed a Rib Cap out of the fridge to bbq after my first sip🥩
Jeb 98, this will be great in 5-10 years. Immediately grabbed a Rib Cap out of the fridge to bbq after my first sip🥩
Oct 14th, 2020Jeb 98 Waited the appropriate 3 hours after UPS delivery today,
Great nose, but definitely needs time, this will be great on Friday!
Reminds me of the 13 Bevan Syrah also from Bennet Valley,
I let that breath for 3 days
Winery notes
Syrah
The 2016 Judge Family Vineyard Syrah is sourced from the cold climate of the Bennett Valley of Sonoma. Meticulously farmed by Joe and Gail Judge, this rocky sloping vineyard planted on a mix of volcanic tufa, weathered stones, and clay, produces elegant and intensely aromatic Syrahs reminiscent of the great wines of Northern Rhone. Bennett Valley is a gently sloping elevated valley nestled between three mountain peaks in Sonoma County. Within the Sonoma Valley appellation
Sonoma Mountain and the Sonoma Coast, the well-drained mountain benchland soils combine with early morning fog and cool marine breezes to create ideal conditions for growing exceptional cool-climate varietals. The wine was cave aged in a combination of 78% used and 22% new French oak barrels for 20 months and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
100% Syrah -- Clones 877, 174, Estrella River
pH 3.79 Alcohol 14.2% TA 6.7 g/L
142 Cases Produced
Jeb 98 Waited the appropriate 3 hours after UPS delivery today,
Great nose, but definitely needs time, this will be great on Friday!
Reminds me of the 13 Bevan Syrah also from Bennet Valley,
I let that breath for 3 days
Winery notes
Syrah
The 2016 Judge Family Vineyard Syrah is sourced from the cold climate of the Bennett Valley of Sonoma. Meticulously farmed by Joe and Gail Judge, this rocky sloping vineyard planted on a mix of volcanic tufa, weathered stones, and clay, produces elegant and intensely aromatic Syrahs reminiscent of the great wines of Northern Rhone. Bennett Valley is a gently sloping elevated valley nestled between three mountain peaks in Sonoma County. Within the Sonoma Valley appellation
Sonoma Mountain and the Sonoma Coast, the well-drained mountain benchland soils combine with early morning fog and cool marine breezes to create ideal conditions for growing exceptional cool-climate varietals. The wine was cave aged in a combination of 78% used and 22% new French oak barrels for 20 months and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
100% Syrah -- Clones 877, 174, Estrella River
pH 3.79 Alcohol 14.2% TA 6.7 g/L
142 Cases Produced
This probably needs a full day in a decanter to really strut its stuff. You can tell it’s all there, it just needs time
This probably needs a full day in a decanter to really strut its stuff. You can tell it’s all there, it just needs time
Dec 4th, 2018Chocolate covered espresso bean in wine form. Not sure how to rate this!
Chocolate covered espresso bean in wine form. Not sure how to rate this!
Apr 5th, 2018