92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
91 Points - Sommeliers Choice Awards
Syrah's meaty, smokey flavors complement meats of all kinds.
This wine is begging for braised short ribs, steak, or your favorite burger.
Very Limited. Only 75 cases produced.
VINEYARDS
Steiner Vineyard, owned by Belden Barns, is a much lauded vineyard on Sonoma Mountain and has been producing grapes for over 30 years. It sits between Sonoma Valley and the Santa Rosa Plain and sits at 1,400’ elevation. Situated on the Santa Rosa side, it receives blasting cool breezes in the summer. Cool climate Syrahs gets much longer hang time and greater complexity. Alban is the clone planted, which is responsible for the unique bacon and tapenade characteristics of this wine.
WINEMAKING
20-25% whole clusters to the de-stemmed fruit which is hand inspected before going to tank. This Syrah began with a four/five day cold soak and 2x daily pump-overs for two days. Received 2x daily vigorous punch downs until dry. Native yeast fermentations. After fermentation is complete they pressed the lot at around 15 days, and after settling for a day it goes to barrel. They racked twice before the Syrah was bottled, about 15-17 months in barrel. Only neutral French oak to allow full expression of this fabulous Syrah.
VINTAGE
By all accounts, 2021 was an extraordinary vintage across the Sonoma appellations, yielding wines with depth, power, concentration and excellent acid retention, perfect for long-lived aging and a distinct sense of place. Marked by moderate weather, minimal heat spikes, and a long, stable weather pattern, which allowed for gradual and even ripening. While the drought conditions of the previous years persisted, the absence of prolonged heat events resulted in a smooth harvest with naturally low yields, leading to more concentrated flavors and a powerful tannin structure in the wines. The wines from this vintage are known for their intense aromas and flavors, with small berries resulting in high skin-to-juice ratios, which contribute to the wines powerful tannin structure. 2021 is a collector's vintage.
APPELLATION: Sonoma Mountain
VARIETAL: Syrah
HARVEST DATE: October 15, 2021
AGING: 17 Months in 100% Neutral French oak barrels
BOTTLING DATE: May 9, 2023
TA: 6.27 gms/L
pH: 3.65
ALCOHOL: 15.4%
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
94 Points
Juice explodes right out of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
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