Recommendations for a California Syrah tasting?

[Mike_Evans]

Definitely Lagier Meredith which is as close to Hermitage in style as I’ve had from California but it’s better than most of the wine from that depressingly underperforming appellation. I’d also do one from either Cabot or Briceland Ishi Pishi for geographic variety and because they’re excellent wines with great savory character.

[larry_schaffer]

I picked up a bottle of 2018 Melville Donna’s at the winery last week and it was awesome. Day one, decanted about 1/3 bottle and it was good but pretty tight. Day 3, decanted the rest for a few hours and it was amazing. $50 on the winery list. Their estate syrah is IMO up there in quality in every way, maybe preferred in some settings.

They are definitely known for their pinots and chards, but their vineyard site in the Sta Rita Hills is a great location for syrah as well - cool climate but not so much that things cannot develop and ripen. Near them is a vineyard called Zotovich - some good syrahs coming out of there. And just down the road is the Turner Vineyard, right next to Clos Pepe - search out producers using these sites . . .

Cheers

[Ben_M_a_n_d_l_e_r]

Go North, young man.

I wholeheartedly recommend Cabot Syrah from Humboldt County. John Cabot is a longtime Berserker. This year’s offer was aged Syrah (2007-2012 iirc) plus newer stuff from the 2016 vintage. Super savory; think olives, bacon, etc. Delicious!

Ohhhh…I have never had any Cabot wines. Will have to seek this one out - thank you!

Lagier Meredith. Recent notes here indicate that the 2016 is drinking well young.

Looks like the Lagier Meredith is the biggest no-brainer I’ve missed. Why did I pass on the BD offer gahhhh

[Ben_M_a_n_d_l_e_r]

I would put Model Farm on the US list. Very much in the same vein as Halcon.

And while I love Carlisle’s syrahs, they would not fit the same mold as many of the others you have mentioned (you wouldn’t mistake for a Rhone). However, consider Failla’s Hudson as a nice crossover wine (clearly a CA version, but nicely framed, lower alcohol). The same could be said for Radio Coteau, if you can find them and both would be toward the upper end on the price spectrum.

As for widely available French versions, Alain Graillot’s Crozes hermitage is $30-40 and classic. Domaine Faury gets my vote as well for St. Joseph

Thanks for the Model Farm rec - definitely one that I haven’t yet explored. I have the 2018 Failla Hudson sleeping. Do you think it would be too young to include at this point?

[larry_schaffer]

Calling Tom Hill . . .

[J.Vizuete]

Thanks for the Model Farm rec - definitely one that I haven’t yet explored. I have the 2018 Failla Hudson sleeping. Do you think it would be too young to include at this point?

I suspect it would benefit from a few more years in the cellar with regard to structure, but Ehran’s wines are pretty expressive off the bat. If you did choose to open it, I would decant several hours ahead. Admittedly, I haven’t had the 18, but they often will serve the current release (from a decanter) at tastings in the cave.

[Alex_N]

Calling Tom Hill . . .

He might be busy/working/tied-up/not online/driving/shopping/on a call.

[Ben_M_a_n_d_l_e_r]

Ojai, Santa Barbara and SVD, all less than $50.
Another vote for Lagier Meredith.

Washington- Rotie Northern Red, Efeste Joulie Bouche, Mark Ryan Lost Soul.

I would definitely consider Ojai, along with Piedrasassi’s Rim Rock Vyd. Also look at Holus Bolus - Peter and Amy are doing great stuff. And consider Samsara and Melville. Reach out if I can offer help with SBC producers. . .

Any recommendations on a specific Ojai, and age?

Larry, thanks for the SBC suggestions! I have the Melville Donna’s that I could throw in but would you recommend any others of theirs in particular?

[Ben_M_a_n_d_l_e_r]

Myriad or Quivet Las Madres Whole Cluster with at least 5 years on them.
Benevolent Neglect Las Madres, Belharra Las Madres, Apsara Las Madres.

Do you see a trend?

I have…never had a wine from Las Madres vineyard…

Where would you recommend I start, given pricing constraints - or are they all in the range?

[larry_schaffer]

Calling Tom Hill . . .

He might be busy/working/tied-up/not online/driving/shopping/on a call.

Indeed!!! short/boring response . . .

[M_Meer]

Have also enjoyed syrah from Ballard Canyon area of SBC. Perhaps a nice contrast to Santa Maria and Santa Rita Hills.

[larry_schaffer]

Ojai, Santa Barbara and SVD, all less than $50.
Another vote for Lagier Meredith.

Washington- Rotie Northern Red, Efeste Joulie Bouche, Mark Ryan Lost Soul.

I would definitely consider Ojai, along with Piedrasassi’s Rim Rock Vyd. Also look at Holus Bolus - Peter and Amy are doing great stuff. And consider Samsara and Melville. Reach out if I can offer help with SBC producers. . .

Any recommendations on a specific Ojai, and age?

Larry, thanks for the SBC suggestions! I have the Melville Donna’s that I could throw in but would you recommend any others of theirs in particular?

Ben,

Great question re: Ojai with age. Remember that Adam ‘changed’ his winemaking philosophies about a decade ago and now makes a more ‘restrained’ style of wine that he used to. They tend to offer lots of library wines directly from the winery - reach out to Nick, their tasting room manager, and let him know what you’re after - and let him know I sent you.

As far as Melville goes, I am not that familiar with the difference between the Donna’s block and their ‘estate’ syrahs so I’m not the best to comment about that. And don’t forget about the other suggestions I provided - lots of great syrahs coming out of our area - from cooler climate ones to ‘restrained’ ones coming from slightly warmer areas. For instance, I work with the Larner Vineyard in Ballard Canyon - not as ‘cool’ as Sta Rita Hills but pretty cool - but plenty cool and planted in 100% sand. My 2014, which I’m currently releasing, is 91% syrah and 9% viognier, co-fermented, 100% whole cluster, and aged 34 months in older oak - comes in at 12.9% alcohol. Young for sure.

Cheers

[jnbrown]

Holus Bolus would be at the top of my list:
Presqu’ile Vineyard - Elegant cool climate, lots of pepper.
Franc de Pied: More of a brut but still cool climate

Ojai and Melville are good as well.
Have gone through two cases of Melville Estate since I got a good deal on it.

[S_Rash]

In SBC, I would recommend Frequency Wine. Zac Wassermsan is the assistant winemaker at Tensley and this is his label. I just received three Syrah’s from them - Watch Hill Vineyard, Zotovich Vineyard, and John Sebastiano Vineyard. The Watch Hill is excellent!! Definitely an up and comer and I believe they were $38 each.

[Brian_Tuite]

Good selection and suggestions. One I would try to add is Jolie Laide Syrah, Halcon Vineyard. Same site as Halcon and having two producers from the same site is always interesting.

Tom

Tasted these wines last week for the first time. Had the Halcon Syrah and the Shake Ridge GSM. Really enjoyed both.

The owner/winemaker worked with Pax at Wind Gap. Would be fun to do a Jolie Laide and Wilde Farm (made by Pax) tasting and then throw in Halcon to see how the house expresses their vineyard. And, maybe add Pax & Wind Gap to see some different sites same winemakers.

https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/posting.php?mode=edit&f=8&p=2321141

[larry_schaffer]

In SBC, I would recommend Frequency Wine. Zac Wassermsan is the assistant winemaker at Tensley and this is his label. I just received three Syrah’s from them - Watch Hill Vineyard, Zotovich Vineyard, and John Sebastiano Vineyard. The Watch Hill is excellent!! Definitely an up and comer and I believe they were $38 each.

I would agree that Zac is a talented winemaker making delicious wines. His style does tend to be a bit richer and riper than others in the area in general, but I have not had these three selections.

Cheers

[Greg_Ossi]

I would add Arcadian to the mix if you can find it.

[JDavisRoby]

Good selection and suggestions. One I would try to add is Jolie Laide Syrah, Halcon Vineyard. Same site as Halcon and having two producers from the same site is always interesting.

Tom

Tasted these wines last week for the first time. Had the Halcon Syrah and the Shake Ridge GSM. Really enjoyed both.

The owner/winemaker worked with Pax at Wind Gap. Would be fun to do a Jolie Laide and Wilde Farm (made by Pax) tasting and then throw in Halcon to see how the house expresses their vineyard. And, maybe add Pax & Wind Gap to see some different sites same winemakers.

https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/posting.php?mode=edit&f=8&p=2321141

Link takes me to something I can’t see. Double super secret WB forum?

[Dan_Sch]

I like your list, quite solid. For a non-California ringer to throw into that lineup, and within your price range, try a Domaine Faury St Joseph Vieille Vignes.

I, too, like the list, and think the Faury is a stoooopid value to mix in.

Call Van from Witching Stick and see if he has any 2012 Valenti Syrah, and see if you can find a Stolpman Hilltops or Originals from 2011 or so. Some of those over the years have been super. I expected to really like the Ojai Bien Nacido, but it was not doing it for me. The last 2012 Qupe Sonnie’s was very nice not too long ago. You already mention Drew, but make sure to get the Valenti. And last one here… if you can source an older Limerick Lane RRV (Collins?) – we had a 2000 a bit over a year ago and it had all of the things. All of them.

Interesting to see how a blind tasting pans out, as I think Halcon Elevacion is absolutely the best bang for the buck out there (probably the best overall).

Looking forward to trying the Knez Syrah with you this summer!

[jnbrown]

Wow I forgot and did not see mentioned here Piedrasassi.
That should be a must in a SBC line up.
Single vineyard bottles are around $50.