2017 Sonoma Coast Syrah - Ramey Wine Cellars

Wild huckleberry, green olive, tart black currant. Sour dark cherry, black tea, plum pit. A delightfully rustic and rugged procession of underripe mulberry, dried fig, and blueberry skin leads an earthy and intriguing presentation that is pleasantly layered with spicy herbal notes of black peppercorn, rosemary, turmeric, and thyme. Hints of bramble, forest floor, and mushroom quickly follow bringing complex organic charms which are pleasantly offset by understated floral tones of wildflowers, violet, and lavender. Impressions of blood sausage and cured ham expose riveting meaty character that fades into interesting earthy flecks of potting soil, iron, and dark minerality. Delicious briny, funky, and feral on both the nose and the palate while possessing tremendous depth, balance, and restraint; exhibiting a classically styled and age-worthy presentation that is beautifully reflective of its cool climate origins. Medium bodied with elevated tannin supported by bright acidity. This 2017 Sonoma Coast Syrah by Ramey Wine Cellars is a spicy and savory red from California.

Though it is often grown in some of California's warmer regions where it produces rich and concentrated wine, Syrah is a grape that can also thrive in cool coastal zones where it takes on a unique flavor profile that is largely driven by non-fruit flavors. This bottling, crafted by Ramey Wine Cellars using a co-fermented blend of 89% Syrah/11% Viognier sourced from the Sonoma Coast, magnificently captures the wild and rugged character that a cool climate can coax from this noble grape. This contains a tart yet layered core of dark fruits that are largely outshined by wild herbs, complex meatiness, exotic spices, and captivating earthiness. While showing some tertiary development this is a wine clearly built to age, and will likely require another 5-10 years to approach its peak. Outstanding.