Top US Syrahs

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#1 Post by **Alan Eden** » June 18th, 2019, 7:21 pm

What are your top 5 Syrahs, blends ok if Syrah is dominant

For me based on actual tasting only, not reputation

Chris Tynan
Alban Reva
Saxum Bone Rock
Bedrock Exposition
Denner

Jeremy Holmes · #2 Post by **Jeremy Holmes** » June 18th, 2019, 7:47 pm

Haven't tasted that many but like Failla Hudson very much. So much so that we import a small amount into Australia.

#3 Post by **Joe S.** » June 18th, 2019, 8:00 pm

Reynvaan
Rhys
Ramey
Tor
Alban

For QPR, I like Rotie Cellars.

#4 Post by **Alan Rath** » June 18th, 2019, 8:05 pm

Halcon
Rhys
Peay
Copain
Lagier Meredith

#5 Post by **Randy Bowman** » June 18th, 2019, 8:17 pm

Chris Tynan
Lilian
K Vintners (take your pick for favorite)
Keever (probably one of the best ever and they no longer make it)
Tensly Colson Canyon

A.Altman · #6 Post by **A.Altman** » June 18th, 2019, 8:20 pm

Gramercy
Pax
Cayuse

#7 Post by **Brian Tuite** » June 18th, 2019, 8:25 pm

In no particilar order

Halcon Alturas
Mryiad Halcon
Lagier Meredith
Myriad/Quivet Las Madres
Bedrock Hudson T n S

Jake-D · #8 Post by **Jake-D** » June 18th, 2019, 8:30 pm

Add: Drew. If you’ve not had any of its three — try to find. (The six or so VD Pinot
Noirs are excellent as well.)

#9 Post by **Mel Knox** » June 18th, 2019, 9:02 pm

No love for Qupe?? Just drank a 2005 Bien Nacido...up there with the best of France.
Where is Tom Hill when you need him??

#10 Post by **adam landa** » June 18th, 2019, 9:15 pm

Saxum Bone Rock
SQN
Older Lillian
Herman Story
Carlisle

#11 Post by **PeterH** » June 18th, 2019, 9:21 pm

Alan R is on my wave length, but I will add Arcadian.

#12 Post by **Kris Patten** » June 18th, 2019, 9:35 pm

Ones I enjoy drinking....

Gramercy
SQN
Lagier Meredith
K Vintners
Betz

#13 Post by **larry schaffer** » June 18th, 2019, 9:40 pm

Gotta throw in:

Jaffurs
Ojai

More to follow . . .

#14 Post by **jflegler** » June 18th, 2019, 9:58 pm

Any list without Peay is incomplete

#15 Post by **Craig G** » June 18th, 2019, 10:20 pm

Alan Rath wrote: ↑
June 18th, 2019, 8:05 pm
Halcon
Rhys
Peay
Copain
Lagier Meredith

This is a pretty good list for me, though i’ve never been super impressed by Peay. For pure drink-it-now pleasure my favorite was a 2009 Copain Les Voisins - I liked it better than their higher end SVDs. I haven’t had a lot of L-M but Alan supplied one for a tasting and it was great.

I also like Ridge and Dehlinger, but they are farther away from my archetype of Syrah.

Anyone for Tablas Creek? I think I must have tasted a Syrah but can’t recall.

#16 Post by **Steve Anderson** » June 18th, 2019, 10:37 pm

jflegler wrote: ↑
June 18th, 2019, 9:58 pm
Any list without Peay is incomplete

Incomplete*, but:
Paul Lato
Bevan
Cayuse
Bedrock
Tie for 5th;

Grand Reve/Force Majeur
Lillian
Tor
Betz

*I did enjoy the one bottle of 2007 Peay Les Titans I consumed, but not enough experience with Peay Syrah to break the Top 5 (I do love their Pinot though).

CT indicates 722 bottles of US Syrah consumed from 87 producers. That surprised me, but I do love me some Syrah.

Cheers,

Steve

Gabe Berk · #17 Post by **Gabe Berk** » June 18th, 2019, 11:29 pm

Lucia
Lagier Meredith
Larner
K Vintners
Booker

David Baum · #18 Post by **David Baum** » June 18th, 2019, 11:36 pm

PeterH wrote: ↑
June 18th, 2019, 9:21 pm
Alan R is on my wave length, but I will add Arcadian.

+1 on the Real Alan. Big fan of Peay Les Titans among others. Generally prefer the cool climate versions to the overipe overly hot Saxums of the world. Nice to see them get some props here. Drinking at their vineyard with Nick is one of my favorite winery memories times two

GregT · #19 Post by **GregT** » June 19th, 2019, 12:53 am

Mel Knox wrote: ↑
June 18th, 2019, 9:02 pm
No love for Qupe?? Just drank a 2005 Bien Nacido...up there with the best of France.
Where is Tom Hill when you need him??

Good call. Predates most of those listed. Always a go-to and the Central Coast was for years one of the best buys out there. Haven't had them since the winery changed hands a few times though.

A few of the more savory and less jammy types - Wilde Farm Syrah “Halcon Vineyard”, Baker Lane, Wind Gap, Failla, Biggio Hamina Deux Vert Vineyard (no longer available) and surprisingly Martinelli Terra Felice and Meyer Family Yorkville, neither of which are what I would have expected.

#20 Post by **JeremyMullman** » June 19th, 2019, 2:14 am

Carlisle
Cayuse
K

Dennis Atick · #21 Post by **Dennis Atick** » June 19th, 2019, 3:09 am

Edmunds St. John

#22 Post by **D@vid Bu3ker** » June 19th, 2019, 4:02 am

GregT wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 12:53 am

Mel Knox wrote: ↑
June 18th, 2019, 9:02 pm
No love for Qupe?? Just drank a 2005 Bien Nacido...up there with the best of France.
Where is Tom Hill when you need him??
Good call. Predates most of those listed. Always a go-to and the Central Coast was for years one of the best buys out there. Haven't had them since the winery changed hands a few times though.

The ownership transitions matter less than the fact that Bob Lindquist is now gone. It's probably not Qupe anymore.

Bill Moore · #23 Post by **Bill Moore** » June 19th, 2019, 4:02 am

My faves include:

Arnot-Roberts (surprised I didn’t see others list this one)
Rhys
Arcadian
Alban
Lillian

Cheers,

Bill

#24 Post by **D@vid Bu3ker** » June 19th, 2019, 4:23 am

All in on Rhys, Arcadian, Bedrock, Lagier-Meredith, & Pax.

Same of the names listed make wines that are too big for my tastes (e.g. Alban). I like what I have had from Ramey so far, but it's much too limited a sample size.

Arnot-Roberts would have made my list, but it's wine specific. Some I really like (e.g. Griffin's Lair, Clary Ranch), while other bottlings leave me cold.

One winery that likely does not have significant exposure to more in the community is Enfield Wine Co. John Lockwood is making wonderful Syrah.

#25 Post by **Michael Martin** » June 19th, 2019, 4:39 am

Alban
Jaffurs’ Bien Nacido and Upslope
Bedrock Griffin’s Lair

#26 Post by **Bud Carey** » June 19th, 2019, 4:40 am

Myriad
Quivet
Lagier-Meredith
Apsara
Carlisle

#27 Post by **Kevin Porter** » June 19th, 2019, 5:09 am

ESJ
Lagier Meredith
Rhys
Qupe

Dale Williams · #28 Post by **Dale Williams** » June 19th, 2019, 5:17 am

Dennis Atick wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 3:09 am
Edmunds St. John

85% of my CA Syrah.
Also like Copain, Arnot_Roberts, Rhys

JMFrawley · #29 Post by **JMFrawley** » June 19th, 2019, 6:20 am

D@vid Bu3ker wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 4:23 am
All in on Rhys, Arcadian, Bedrock, Lagier-Meredith, & Pax.

Same of the names listed make wines that are too big for my tastes (e.g. Alban). I like what I have had from Ramey so far, but it's much too limited a sample size.

Arnot-Roberts would have made my list, but it's wine specific. Some I really like (e.g. Griffin's Lair, Clary Ranch), while other bottlings leave me cold.

One winery that likely does not have significant exposure to more in the community is Enfield Wine Co. John Lockwood is making wonderful Syrah.

Agreed! Do not sleep on John's Enfield Syrahs. The recent La Femme Sauvage release using carbonic is unique and the Haynes Vineyard syrah is great.

#30 Post by **Gray G** » June 19th, 2019, 6:27 am

Alban
Andremily
SQN
K Vintners
Cayuse
Myriad

#31 Post by **TomHill** » June 19th, 2019, 6:29 am

D@vid Bu3ker wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 4:02 am

GregT wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 12:53 am

Mel Knox wrote: ↑
June 18th, 2019, 9:02 pm
No love for Qupe?? Just drank a 2005 Bien Nacido...up there with the best of France.
Where is Tom Hill when you need him??
Good call. Predates most of those listed. Always a go-to and the Central Coast was for years one of the best buys out there. Haven't had them since the winery changed hands a few times though.

The ownership transitions matter less than the fact that Bob Lindquist is now gone. It's probably not Qupe anymore.

Yup, Mel...I'm here. Most of my favorites have been mentioned. Certainly Qupe is right at the top of my list. The current Qupes are all made by Bob.
But we'll see what happens going forward. It'll be interesting if they can source from all the same vnyds that Bob used to source from.
Certainly not Sawyer-Lindquist, though.
As for Alban & SQN.....those are huge wines that wow you w/ their power & extract. But they just never seem to develop the coplexity & nuance
that a Qupe or an EdStJohn routinely do.
I tend to like very cold-climate Syrahs: StoloFamily, Delmore, Peay, McLauren, Qupe, Lagier-Meredith, etc.
But, then, what do I know?? I've only followed Calif Syrah from the very start...the Phelps '73!!

Tom

#32 Post by **Jay Miller** » June 19th, 2019, 6:34 am

Edmunds St. John
Rhys
Arcadian
Scherrer

I would have said Qupe and Copain but with both winemakers gone...

#33 Post by **D@vid Bu3ker** » June 19th, 2019, 6:46 am

How the hell did I not mention ESJ?!?

#34 Post by **Brian Tuite** » June 19th, 2019, 6:52 am

jflegler wrote: ↑
June 18th, 2019, 9:58 pm
Any list without Peay is incomplete

OP asked what are “your” top 5 Syrahs.

I’ve never had a Peay so it can’t scratch my top 5 list. I’ve had a lot of other great Syrahs, not on my list, one time. Unless I can repeat a great tatsing experience I can’t put something at the top of my list as many wine experiences can be one offs for my palate and don’t show the same next go-round.

Dennis Atick · #35 Post by **Dennis Atick** » June 19th, 2019, 6:55 am

D@vid Bu3ker wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 6:46 am
How the hell did I not mention ESJ?!?

I was concerned. Hope you are feeling okay

#36 Post by **D@vid Bu3ker** » June 19th, 2019, 7:02 am

Long day yesterday at the Theise portfolio tasting, so I am a bit tired.

#37 Post by **S teve R edenbaugh** » June 19th, 2019, 7:02 am

I buy and enjoy Sandlands, Arno-Roberts, Rhys, Bedrock, Anthill Farms and Carlisle syrahs...but I admit my favorite domestic Syrah based wines are the cab/syrah blends from K Vintners and L'Aventure.

#38 Post by **TomHill** » June 19th, 2019, 7:05 am

Jay Miller wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 6:34 am
Edmunds St. John
Rhys
Aracadian
Scherrer

I would have said Qupe and Copain but with both winemakers gone...

Well, Jay....you can instead say Lindquist Family Vintners...though nobody's had one yet.
Tom

Jeff P · #39 Post by **Jeff P** » June 19th, 2019, 7:07 am

Also like Acorn from Healdsburg

Kelly Flynn · #40 Post by **Kelly Flynn** » June 19th, 2019, 7:15 am

Like many others here, I love Alban, but no idea what it becomes in the long run.

For the $ Stolpman is terrific.

But, like pinot noir, IMHO syrah is a grape in which even the best American versions cannot compare with the greatest French counterparts.

Mike Q · #41 Post by **Mike Q** » June 19th, 2019, 7:16 am

This is fun... I will play:

SQN
Alban
Andremily
Carlisle (QPR!)
Booker

#42 Post by **jflegler** » June 19th, 2019, 7:17 am

Brian Tuite wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 6:52 am

jflegler wrote: ↑
June 18th, 2019, 9:58 pm
Any list without Peay is incomplete
OP asked what are “your” top 5 Syrahs.

I’ve never had a Peay so it can’t scratch my top 5 list. I’ve had a lot of other great Syrahs, not on my list, one time. Unless I can repeat a great tatsing experience I can’t put something at the top of my list as many wine experiences can be one offs for my palate and don’t show the same next go-round.

That is a fair point. Sorry for being a bit rude with my response. Try one with about 8-10 years of age on it if you get the chance.

#43 Post by **Matthew King** » June 19th, 2019, 7:21 am

From the vault:

If you can find them, Dehlinger and Kathryn Kennedy from the late 90s prove that CA Syrah can age nicely. Fully fruited but savory ...

#44 Post by **John Morris** » June 19th, 2019, 7:26 am

Dennis Atick wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 3:09 am
Edmunds St. John

That was a long wait for that name! Definitely belongs on the list. A long, excellent track record.

I've also had some outstanding syrahs from Copain.

Mike Francisco · #45 Post by **Mike Francisco** » June 19th, 2019, 7:42 am

Dennis Atick wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 3:09 am
Edmunds St. John

Big ol' +1 on ESJ
Arcadian
Arnot Roberts (a little more hit or miss but when they're on, they're really on)
Bedrock (same as A-R)
Gramercy (same as BR & A-R)

Less serous but a whole lot o' fun to drink frech and with a slight chill
Haarmeyer
Stirm (carbonic)

I know that's more then 5 sorry for the party foul.

#46 Post by **K John Joseph** » June 19th, 2019, 7:45 am

Cayuse
No Girls
Reynvaan
Lagier Meredith
Keplinger

#47 Post by **CJ Beazley** » June 19th, 2019, 8:33 am

Peay
Jaffurs
Cabot
Arnot-Roberts

*if we’re considering qpr-it’s Cabot.

Dennis Atick · #48 Post by **Dennis Atick** » June 19th, 2019, 8:36 am

John Morris wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 7:26 am

Dennis Atick wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 3:09 am
Edmunds St. John
That was a long wait for that name! Definitely belongs on the list. A long, excellent track record.

I kind of like it that it took 21 posts...very ESJ ish

Scott E. · #49 Post by **Scott E.** » June 19th, 2019, 8:41 am

Reynvaan
Bedrock Hudson T n S
Gramercy Les Collines
K Vintners Hidden
II Vintners Stones

Andrew Dodd · #50 Post by **Andrew Dodd** » June 19th, 2019, 9:22 am

SQN
Alban
Saxum
Cayuse
Booker