Varietal of the Month: Syrah

 

Is Syrah the Red Wine Supernova? Very possibly, yes! Yet for many years Syrah, a medium bodied to full-bodied dry red Rhône varietal, was ignored by consumers and it struggled to find a place at the table. Today, winemakers embrace the inherent wild nature of the grape and coax it to its full natural expression of flavors from bright to savory, making wines of great structure and complexity with a balance of fruit, tannin, acidity and alcohol. Syrah is a many splendored thing, a poem of scents, flavors and textures; it’s a varietal worthy of your attention.

 

Here are capsule reviews of Syrah you may find along the Wine Road

Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Syrah, Alexander Valley

 

The Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Syrah presents as a dark violet color in the glass. Although this wine’s roots are Californian, from the Alexander Valley, it has the pulse and heartbeat of the Rhône. On the nose it’s deep and earthy with notes of menthol and herbs de Provence, green peppercorn, black cherry and sweet tobacco. On the palate, bright acidity and juiciness prevails with notes of blackberry and raspberry. A touch of white pepper and a meaty quality, typical of Rhône Syrah, balance the fine tannins along with a lingering black olive note on the finish. The sub $30 list price is an exceptional value.

 

$26

ABV 14%

 

 

Balletto 2019 Syrah BCD Vineyard Russian River Valley

 

The Balletto 2019 Syrah from the BCD Vineyard in the Russian River Valley is 100% Syrah made from the Estrella River clone. So what’s that mean to you? Probably nothing. But once you taste it you’ll want to take note and seek it out again. On the nose, a rich earthy elixir of black plum, ripe blackberry, clove and black pepper with notes of coffee bean, dark chocolate and sassafras. On the palate, the lively blackberry comes to the fore, along with rich flavors of blueberry and black cherry. Fine sandy tannins build to a long satisfying finish with notes of mocha and a hint of black olive. Enjoyable right now, but it is destined to deepen and develop with age.   

 

$36

ABV 13.9%

 

 

J. Rickards Winery 2020 Syrah Furlong Vineyard, Alexander Valley

 

The J. Rickards Winery 2020 Syrah from the Furlong Vineyard in Alexander Valley is co-fermented with 4% Viognier. On the nose, plum sauce, black current, and black pepper, along with subtle notes of cedar, menthol and sweet tobacco that conjured in my mind an adorable hamster smoking a Salem. (But that’s just my frame of reference.) Rich and robust, this is a fleshy and richly flavored Syrah with flavors of plum, blackberry, mocha, mint, and chaparral. Wonderful balance and structure with fine sandy tannins that lift the deep flavors and deliver a nice round finish. 

 

ABV 14.6%

 

Peterson 2016 Syrah Gravity Flow Block Dry Creek Valley

 

The Peterson 2016 Syrah Gravity Flow Block from the Dry Creek Valley is composed of 93% Syrah that is co-fermented with 7% Viognier. Co-fermenting Viognier with Syrah is time-honored method employed in the Rhône Valley to offer stability to the wine, but it also subtly enhances the floral and fruit notes. On the nose an exciting collision of earthy blackberry, dark plum and brambles, along with savory scents of mushroom, cardamom and sassafras. On the palate, a soft caress of minty sagebrush, ripe black cherry, mocha and boysenberry. This bold scent profile coupled with a plush mouthfeel is the essence of the descriptor— “an iron fist in a velvet glove”—it’s robust yet elegant and refined at the same time. 

 

$48

ABV 14.7%

 

Selby 2019 Syrah Dry Creek Valley

 

The Selby 2019 Syrah from Dry Creek Valley is alive with texture and flavor, with all the earmarks of a fine savory Syrah. On the nose, chocolate covered blueberries with a touch of mint and green peppercorn. On the palate, smooth and rich with bright juicy blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, cranberry and plum sauce. It’s harmonious and balanced, with medium body and a distinct and savory black olive note on the long velvety finish.  

 

$38

ABV 14.4%

 

Spicy Vines 2021 Syrah Dragon’s Kiss Sierra Foothills

 

The Spicy Vines 2021 Syrah Dragon’s Kiss is from Le Mulet Rouge, a high elevation vineyard in the Sierra Foothills. The nose is softly perfumed with chocolate, sweet tobacco, clove, a whiff of leather and peppercorn. On the palate it’s chewy and tart with plum sauce, mocha, boysenberry and tangy black olive. Soft powdery tannins spread across the tongue and palate with a plumy rich meatiness and a touch of mint on the long earthy finish.

 

$48

ABV 15.1%

Varietal of the Month: Sauvignon Blanc

 

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the Noble Grapes noted for its high acidity and aromatics. Flavors range from lean, green and grassy; to creamy with notes of passion fruit and fleshy peach depending on climate and how the wine is aged be it in stainless steel or oak. Texture is the name of the game with Sauvignon Blanc, serve cold and prepare to be refreshed. When it comes to food pairing—Sauvignon Blanc is the ultimate flex, versatile and accommodating to a vast array of foods from oysters on the half shell to cheese and charcuterie, and even tomato based dishes. 

Here are some capsule reviews of Sauvignon Blanc you may find along the Wine Road.

J. Bucher 2022 Bucher Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley

The J. Bucher 2022 Bucher Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from Russian River Valley shines in the glass with a bright straw gold color. On the nose a profusion of bright scents including honeydew, peach, guava, marigold, and passion fruit. On the palate the first word that comes to mind is—Yummy! It’s rich with flavors of grapefruit, creamy peach, ginger and salty lemon with a light acidity that ties it all together like the rug in the Dude’s apartment. Both sweet and tart with a soft mouth feel and a hint of salted butter on the finish. Pair with Scallop Ceviche.

AVB 13.0%
$38

David Coffaro 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley

The David Coffaro 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from Dry Creek Valley is a pale gold in color. It has a beautiful soft scent with notes of guava, white peach, chalk, passion fruit and a touch of warm spun sugar that is immensely engaging. On the palate initial hints of chalk and grapefruit make way for juicy, crisp notes of nectarine, peach and ginger with a wonderful salinity. Complex and exciting, 9% of Riesling gives it a great lift and balance to the zesty citrus acidity that is characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc. Pair with Panzanella Salad.

ABV 14.4%
$28

Dry Creek Vineyard 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley

The Dry Creek Vineyard 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from Dry Creek Valley, is blended from the clones of Sauvignon Musqué and Sauvignon Gris and is a veritable Master Class in texture and classic flavor profiles. On the nose creamy peach, warm amber passion fruit, ginger and guava with a spicy note of pink peppercorn. On the palate it’s juicy, bright and vibrating with spikey acidity, featuring flavors of honeydew melon, peaches & cream, tart citrus and a light kick of jalapeño. Go with a classic pairing—oysters on the half shell.

ABV 14.1%
$25

Orsi Family 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley

The Orsi Family 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from Dry Creek Valley has a pale yellow color with a slight green tinge at the rim. Tropical notes of grapefruit, pineapple and guava co-mingle with a chalky salinity that brings to mind saltine crackers. On the palate the flavors coalesce with with notes of ginger, honeydew melon, a bit of grapefruit pith and a lithe herbal quality that rings of pea shoots and sage. Pair with Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri.

ABV 13.5%
$28

Pedroncelli 2022 Giovanni & Giulia Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley

The Pedroncelli 2022 Giovanni & Giulia Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley is a pale yellow gold color, with qualities both bright and savory. The nose is a sensory wonder wall with notes of lemon peel, ginger, warm peach cobbler, and tropical notes of pineapple and guava. On the palate, a quenching combination of grapefruit pith, bold tart citron and a jalapeno-honey note that gives balance and grounding to the acidity.  Pair with Peach Caprese Salad.

ABV 13.9%
$22

Selby 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley

The Selby 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from Russian River Valley raises the question—What wizardry is at play here? It’s like a trip to the boardwalk with the scent of the salty sea and warm peachy cotton candy with vanilla and spicy ginger swirling in the air. On the palate, a soft mouth feel with notes of creamy peach and Bartlett pear with a crisp pop of acidity on the clean and fresh cucumber-sage like finish. Pair with Grilled Mango Chicken.

ABV 14.0%
$25

Sonoma-Cutrer 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley 

The Sonoma-Cutrer 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from Russian River Valley is a pale golden straw color with a tint of green. On the nose a compelling blend of honeycomb, peach, basil and buttered sourdough. On the palate, zesty bright notes of grapefruit and jalapeño are balanced out with notes of wet chalk, vanilla, guava and peach. Great texture and acidity with notes of limestone, green olive, and fresh cut grass on the finish. Pair with warm tomato and goat cheese tart.

ABV 12.2 %
$25