2014 Sonoma County Syrah
54% Bennett Valley Syrah
24% Paso Robles Syrah
22% Russian River Valley Syrah
Based largely on some cool climate Syrah from Bennett Valley, this year’s QPR champ also includes three and a half barrels of Papa’s Block Syrah and five barrels of Syrah from Paso Robles. (To label it “Sonoma County”, only 75% of the wine in it needs to be from Sonoma County.) Some of the components were fermented indigenously while others were inoculated with various natural strains of yeasts. Only 15 percent new French oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Don’t just back the truck up, back the 18-wheeler up! Bottled under screw cap.
Tasting Note:
Very dark ruby-purple. With vigorous swirling, aromas of blackberry, game, and peppery spice emerge from the glass. Definitely smells like cool climate Syrah. As the wine enters the mouth, incredibly well-balanced and very elegant with flavors of blackberry, game, violets, and white pepper. Fine grained, chalky tannins emerge in the long finish. Overall, I’m reminded of an “Old World” Syrah from a riper vintage, minus any Brettanomyces funk of course. Enjoy this beauty from 2017 through 2028. (MRO – 01/19/16)