Spring Release Wild Mountainside Syrah
2022

Winemaker’s Notes

I love the seamlessness of our new vintage of Wild Mountainside Syrah. The fruit expression is classic Pacific-influenced cool climate – violet, black pepper and snappy dark fruits. The wine’s structure folds into the fruit extract so that the overall balance is graceful and elegant – there are no rustic hard edges here. There's not much Syrah grown “out west”, and it plays an obvious second fiddle to Pinot Noir, but make no mistake, the best vineyards and expressions are world class with room to spare. One half of the wine was harvested prior to the vintage’s heat event while the balance, close to the ocean, waited it out. So we have richness and freshness in equal measure. A compelling wine and great follow-up to the brilliant 2021.

Deep inky dark fruit aromas alongside gravelly minerals, violet, and Kalamata. The palate flavors follow the aromas with a sweet core of blackberry pastille wrapped up in a coating of cocoa nib and cassis liqueur. The wine is quite densely packed with clear deep intensity before turning silky and graceful on an elegant lavender-infused finish. Drink between late-2024 and 2032.

Andy Smith