Morgan
G17 Monterey Syrah
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, USA
Winemaker Sam Smith used grapes from from northern and central Monterey County to create the 2017 G 17 Syrah. It’s one of those only-in-America blends featuring two grape varieties of the Rhône Valley and one from Spain. The mix is 87% Syrah, 9% Grenache and 4% Tempranillo. It was aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, a quarter of which were new. The grapes came primarily from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco Appellations of Monterey County. Alcohol hits 14.4% abv and it retails for $22. Just under 1200 cases were made.
The first whiffs of this medium dark ruby wine are pretty boozy, but they're loaded with black berries, tobacco, smoke, leather and spices. The palate picks up black cherry and a ladle of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. The wine drinks surprisingly gentle, with enough tannic structure for roast or pork. A medium finish is noteworthy and is missed when it fades away.
Winemaker Sam Smith used grapes from from northern and central Monterey County to create the 2017 G 17 Syrah. It’s one of those only-in-America blends featuring two grape varieties of the Rhône Valley and one from Spain. The mix is 87% Syrah, 9% Grenache and 4% Tempranillo. It was aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, a quarter of which were new. The grapes came primarily from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco Appellations of Monterey County. Alcohol hits 14.4% abv and it retails for $22. Just under 1200 cases were made.
The first whiffs of this medium dark ruby wine are pretty boozy, but they're loaded with black berries, tobacco, smoke, leather and spices. The palate picks up black cherry and a ladle of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. The wine drinks surprisingly gentle, with enough tannic structure for roast or pork. A medium finish is noteworthy and is missed when it fades away.
Reasonable for the price, but lighter bodied than expected for a Syrah. A bit tart upon opening but may need to open up.
Reasonable for the price, but lighter bodied than expected for a Syrah. A bit tart upon opening but may need to open up.
Mar 11th, 2018
Dusty cherry with a matchbook influence in the nose. Black tea-smoked cherries 🍒 and a saline element in the finish. Complex and worth it.
Dusty cherry with a matchbook influence in the nose. Black tea-smoked cherries 🍒 and a saline element in the finish. Complex and worth it.
Jan 19th, 2018
