2012 Halcon Vineyards Syrah Alturas- USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands (6/6/2014)
Wonderfully perfumed nose, then a palate which shows medium intensity dark boysenberry/pomegranate fruit, with notes of iron, iodine, graphite, plenty of acidity, and some slightly grippy tannins on the finish. Nothing overripe or sweet here, would easily sneak through a lineup of Gonon or Graillot. A fabulous effort, and no-brainer qpr at it’s price point. Case buy. (92 pts.)
I think you are spot on with your note. I’ve already gone through a couple of them. Glad to have 4 left to monitor over time. At this price it was a no brainer!
That prtty much sells me. My recollection is that you are the enabler that got me on this winery to start! Really liked the '09 and '10 quite a bit - both cases purchases - but could have used slighly less new oak treatment. My understanding is that Paul is using less and less new oak these days. Such beautiful material, so less need for oak.
Paul sent me a shiner a while ago. My notes:
2012 Halcón Alturas (barrel sample)
97% Syrah, 3% Viogner co-fermented
pH: 3.76 T.A.: 0.66 g/100mL Alcohol: 13.5%
Opened this yesterday, tasted it, and enjoyed more tonight after being stored in the fridge. The nose was a bit muted, but smelled as I expected, dark fruits, spice, not sweet at all, etc. The palate was nice fruit with some chalky tannins. Really solid structure, but kind of awkward. Tonight, this wine is showing its fruit first and it is really nice. Full and just a tiny bit more lush than the '10 and '11. This is going to be my favorite of the vintages, I’m fairly certain. I think that time in the barrel will add a bit more structure and the added time will allow it to piece together. Really excited about this one after my glass tonight.
Thanks to all.
2012 Alturas will be released to the mailing list in early fall.
I sold a few bottles of the '12 after I ran out of the '11 Alturas. Alan got an early taste.
Paul, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe I just taste through the entire 12 line up. I opened a Syrah mid week and followed it over 4 nights.
Popped and poured, but this wine needs some time open. In a couple hours it became approachable.
Very light red fruits and even [value] edit should have said blue fruits. Quality acid component with firm tannins. Wonderful nose…I had difficult getting around to drinking as I kept my nose in the glass. By night three the wine was outstanding. It really came into focus and the fruit and tannins found a solid balance. The wine fell off a slight amount on night 4 but the structure still showed though.
I took my case to the offsite so I don’t have my bottles here to chck the year, but pretty sure it was a 12.
I have always enjoyed the Halcon offerings and the Prado really stood out as a great value at a recent tasting. It doesn’t hurt that Paul is such a great guy to deal with, either.
Sorry for late response - if you are going to try the 2011 Alturas soon I recommend: pop the cork, pour off an ounce or two (and drink , recork and store at cellar temp for 24hrs.
Ok, preaching to the choir: The 2010 is really damn good. A rare California syrah that shows more rocks than fruits. The fruit is ripe and plush enough to know its California, but the earth, rocks, minerals keep it damn interesting. Dark fruits predominate over the reds, lifted by some crisp acidity. Still primary. This is a really good effort. Cannot wait to try the 2012, which I think Paul mentioned has less use of new oak, down to 20%. My only critique of the 2010 is some astringency and dryness coming from the new wood. Beautiful materials here. One of those wines that will appeal to the AFWE and the Purple Drank crowd. A major crowd pleaser.
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, recork and store at cellar temp for 24hrs.