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%
95 Points
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of black cherry, cardamom and nutmeg. The full-bodied palate is full of crunchy black fruits. It's rich and ripe firm chewy tannins provide additional structure and complexity as you make your descent into a long and flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
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