Aimed at the guy who just likes to be a dick, not at the whole post
a few of my golfer buddies loved the Alban Patrina 2015 over the last couple dinners 
Plus one on the Anthill. Lots of good ones in these lists. I like Samsara Turner quite a bit. Hoping the new owners keep the ball rolling.
Has anyone had Torrin Akasha? I just visited their winery and thought all of their wines were fantastic, but we were unable to get any Akasha. I thought their Syrah driven GSM (Banshee) was excellent.
Mike,
The new owners of Samsara are wonderful folks - Dave and Joan. They’ve brought in a wonderful winemaker - Matt Brady, formerly of Jaffurs - and are certainly committed to maintaining the quality of what Chad started, but expanding into a few other varieties as well. Time will tell, but I wouldn’t bet against them.
Cheers!
Rhys
Arcadian
Saxum
Alban
IMHO, the saying “there are no great old wines, just great bottles of old wine” applies equally to Syrah.
To a lesser extent, Tom Hill’s saying about pet that you "need to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince(ss) applies too.
When a Syrah misses the mark, it is incredibly boring.
But when Syrah hits the bullseye, ahhhh.
Maybe it is just me.
I can find something to like in a less than stellar Oregon pinot, Burg, cab, Bordeaux, zin, pet, Grenache., chard, chennin, riesling, etc.
I’ve got a boatload of syrah in my cellar dating back to '96 from a lot of major players. I literally have hundred of bottles of Alban. Unopened dark red case boxes.
Right now I am sipping on a '12 Jaffurs Verna’s. It hits the mark.
So fwiw, I would never try to name five wineries.
+1. I’ve heard a lot about the Akasha but haven’t had any Torrin. Would love to know.
Which Akasha are you guys referring to?
The 100 pt 2015?
Or the 100 pt 2010? (Jeb Dunnuck scores)
I like to think I have a few of each in the cellar somewhere. Excellent Syrahs.
Specific shout out to 2011 Saxum Heart Stone. A cooler vintage, viewed as “weak” produced a beautiful wine, no alcohol heat, complex, subtle etc. Would like others’ views on how that vintage has aged re: other producers.
Thanks for the kind words, you inspired me to dig out a 2011, and I have to agree. An excellent Saxum!
Such great points, my friend. And if you were to ask this question 5 years ago, the answers would most likely be different - as they will, 5 years from now . . .
Cheers!
Enjoy that ‘12. It’s the end of a great run for Jaffurs’ Verna’s. The ‘08 Verna’s is still one of my top wines ever.
Michael and Mitch,
The vineyard is now called the Sokrian Vineyard. I believe Coastal is still farming it and I know that at one time, Morgan Clendenon and Drake Whitcraft were helping to produce ‘Estate’ wines for the new owners, who continued to sell fruit to others. No idea whether Jaffurs or Samsara or anyone who used to get syrah from there still is, but the pedigree of the site is pretty good (and it’s neighbor vineyard across the street is White Hawk) . . .
Cheers.
Good info Larry.
Saxum, Bevan, Myriad, Ramey, Torrin with Bedrock and Carlisle being my plus ones because I truly am passionate about the field blends and single vineyard source swapping they get involved with. I love seeing what various winemakers can do with grapes from adjacent rows in the same vineyards. I truly do enjoy old world syrah/Rhone wines from Hermitage to CNdP. But, I can’t myself embrace the notion of Old World superiority! I have older CA wines that certainly compete, and I also have some really old school Australian Rhone varietal wines that are competitive as well.
Couple of wine business friends were falling over themselves praising Paul Lato’s Pinot Noir. To me, it didn’t hit the spot (I’d rather drink King Estates for a third of the price all night long). But then they opened the Paul Lato Syrah, and that did impress me. Wonderful.
Alban Reva
K Powerline Syrah
Herman Story Nuts and Bolts
Alta Colina Toasted Slope
Tensley Colton Canyon
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll have to give La Clarine a try.
+1 on K Vintners and Tensley Colton Canyon
Has anyone had the chance to taste the 2016 Torrin Akasha, or has anyone heard anything about it?