Wind Gap Wines
Majik Vineyard Syrah
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
Hitting its stride since LBT. Unwound and has fleshed out just a touch. Cracked pepper, hung meat, woodsmoke, bay leaf, wild berries, crushed cherry. Mineral laden throughout the palate. Fresh and just fun to drink with its very agreeable ABV. I love these wines upon release for how high-toned they are, but some recent bottles at the 5 year mark have really got me interested in how harmonious they get with a little bottle age.
Hitting its stride since LBT. Unwound and has fleshed out just a touch. Cracked pepper, hung meat, woodsmoke, bay leaf, wild berries, crushed cherry. Mineral laden throughout the palate. Fresh and just fun to drink with its very agreeable ABV. I love these wines upon release for how high-toned they are, but some recent bottles at the 5 year mark have really got me interested in how harmonious they get with a little bottle age.
Sep 27th, 2018
Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits
I bought this several years ago from the Wind Gap tasting room. Out of all the wines, this was the smallest production (>80 cases) and to me, the least drinkable of all the wines. In fact, I hated it. Totally lean, sour, and sharp. The alcohol is barely 12% and at the time, I bought it for the sole reason of seeing how it aged. If the wine had been riper, I am sure I would have enjoyed it much that day. HOWEVER, now that we are a few years in, it has become much more interesting. I'm glad I bought it. It's no longer sharp, but has started to take on a rounder, savory mouthfeel. There's this umami, tomato flavor going on here. The SOGI wine from Broc is very similar but this is a cool wine. If you can find this vintage, I suggest checking it out.
I bought this several years ago from the Wind Gap tasting room. Out of all the wines, this was the smallest production (>80 cases) and to me, the least drinkable of all the wines. In fact, I hated it. Totally lean, sour, and sharp. The alcohol is barely 12% and at the time, I bought it for the sole reason of seeing how it aged. If the wine had been riper, I am sure I would have enjoyed it much that day. HOWEVER, now that we are a few years in, it has become much more interesting. I'm glad I bought it. It's no longer sharp, but has started to take on a rounder, savory mouthfeel. There's this umami, tomato flavor going on here. The SOGI wine from Broc is very similar but this is a cool wine. If you can find this vintage, I suggest checking it out.
Sep 28th, 2016Gorgeous restrained fruit love the tension in this wine.
Gorgeous restrained fruit love the tension in this wine.
May 7th, 2015Can't attend #ipob this year, so attending in spirit with the magic Majik. (Yes, I wrote that. Sorry, this wine is too good.) Huge peppercorn on the nose, but then the fruit takes over. Glad I bought two bottles.
Can't attend #ipob this year, so attending in spirit with the magic Majik. (Yes, I wrote that. Sorry, this wine is too good.) Huge peppercorn on the nose, but then the fruit takes over. Glad I bought two bottles.
Feb 23rd, 2015Nothing else Id rather have in my glass!
Nothing else Id rather have in my glass!
Dec 16th, 2014Mostly black olive now, but just starting to bring in secondary flavors. Hard not to love where it's going.
Mostly black olive now, but just starting to bring in secondary flavors. Hard not to love where it's going.
Nov 3rd, 2013
Color of different shades of purple, with a bit brown note on the rim. Quite clear and light considering she is a Syrah. Nose of fragrant aldehyde, dried strawberry, oak, prune, spice, a bit leather, charcoal, and dark cherry. Nose is intense and beautiful. Taste follows the nose with addition of ripe grapes, almost no tannins and low alcohol content. Clean and savory. Right amount of acidity and a tiny bit tinkling. Aftertaste is also long enough to amaze me. Very nice.
Color of different shades of purple, with a bit brown note on the rim. Quite clear and light considering she is a Syrah. Nose of fragrant aldehyde, dried strawberry, oak, prune, spice, a bit leather, charcoal, and dark cherry. Nose is intense and beautiful. Taste follows the nose with addition of ripe grapes, almost no tannins and low alcohol content. Clean and savory. Right amount of acidity and a tiny bit tinkling. Aftertaste is also long enough to amaze me. Very nice.
Jan 15th, 2021
Pax Mahle makes majestic Syrah that is light and gentle as single vineyard cool climate Pinot. His wines encapsulate the best of the idiosyncratic grape in a more delicate than typical frame that is complex and lean, but neither thin nor meager.
His Wind Gap Majik single vineyard has funky expressive aromas of iodine, menthol, violet, olive, and black peppercorn. Flavors of herbs, unripe blackberry, and salty minerals. Tons of flavor and body at an astounding 11.5% ABV (2014 was 10.4%!).
P.S. considering buying his Pax Hillside which got 100 points from @Antonio Galloni last year. If anyone has tried 2017 please let me know how it was.
Pax Mahle makes majestic Syrah that is light and gentle as single vineyard cool climate Pinot. His wines encapsulate the best of the idiosyncratic grape in a more delicate than typical frame that is complex and lean, but neither thin nor meager.
His Wind Gap Majik single vineyard has funky expressive aromas of iodine, menthol, violet, olive, and black peppercorn. Flavors of herbs, unripe blackberry, and salty minerals. Tons of flavor and body at an astounding 11.5% ABV (2014 was 10.4%!).
P.S. considering buying his Pax Hillside which got 100 points from @Antonio Galloni last year. If anyone has tried 2017 please let me know how it was.
One of my favorite cool climate Cali Syrahs. Nice pepper and balanced low alcohol.
One of my favorite cool climate Cali Syrahs. Nice pepper and balanced low alcohol.
Feb 24th, 2017