This is one of my very favorite domestic Syrahs as it features the cured meat savoriness which I enjoy, but always in balance with fresh Cali fruit. I got 2018s at BD and went back for more.
One observation about the 2018 Alturas is that it didn’t hold up well overnight into day 2. It lost a lot of fruit and some savoriness too. Paul commented on my CT note that his Syrahs 12-24 months are best either as pop and pour or wait 48 hours plus.
I am also glad to hear that Paul thinks these can go decades! Fascinating.
Thank you for participating here Paul. Great info!!
Crazy to think I bought my first Halcon bottles because I had a dream wherein I greatly enjoyed some wines by this new-to-me winery, Halcon. I think the setting was some kind of outdoor tasting event. I woke up the next day and figured, “Hell, that might mean something,” and promptly emailed Paul with my story and request to purchase; those bottles were 2010’s, and it took me a few years to work through them. Inexplicably, it took me until somewhat recently to realize I need to be on Halcon’s list and buy these on the regular. Might even open one tonight!
Any advice for someone who the 2017 Alturas and the 2018 Theopolis PS and would love to open one for a friend? I know they’re both super young, but would one be more approachable now? Does a few hours of air help these wines, or do I risk shutting them down with a prolonged decant?
I found the '17 Alturas recently drank best after a couple nights open. It wasn’t really closed early on but the fruit seemed to unfold and the green edge to the tannin softened. So a lengthy, rough decanting wouldn’t be out of line.
I would pick the 2018 PS. Though very young I have found it has an exotic fruit character that is very appealing. I would recommend an hour or two in the decanter. Let’s us know how it shows.
Thank you Paul, I absolutely will. I have it lined up for a socially-distanced bottle with a friend in two weeks. I’ve really enjoyed reading about your project, and I can’t wait to try the wines.
This thread inspired me to open a ‘16 Wilde Farm Halcon Syrah last night. In a Grassl Cru glass. The initial nose was all grilled meat and smoke. Palate was salty/savory with little fruit. Tart and acidic. After an hour in the decanter, the fruit started to show up. Blueberry compote but in a subtle, restrained way (maybe some carbonic?). Still tons of savory elements though. It really developed well over the evening. A unique wine with a distinctively CA Syrah fruit profile but with the wonderful savory complexity that makes Northern Rhone Syrahs so compelling. Definitely decant for at least 1.5 hours before drinking.
Nice. I appreciate Esther’s ability to write for a more mainstream audience, without feeling like I’m being condescended to. I’d be curious to find out if her picks drive a meaningful bump in sales.
We were pleasantly surprised by the interest and sales generated by Esther’s article. We have been featured in a few newspaper articles in the past and frankly there was very little impact. Esther definitely has some influence.
I got my hands on 6 Alturas 2015 from a Danish shop as well, probably the same. He usually sells only to his local market but he was kind enough to find a way to get me the wines. The 6 bottles went to a friend of his who lives in Champagne and come to Paris from time to time, I just got my hands on them meeting him in the city .
Love this european wino solidarity and I’ll be poping one soon as well !
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