Vintners Own is proud to congratulate Squire Fridell, our Master Vintner for being awarded 96 points for his estate grown 2008 Syrah, by wine critic Robet O’maoilriain!
Read The Full Review In Sonoma Sommelier Wine Magazine… Some highlights below.
Overall-
A Rhone drinker’s dream come true, this Domestic Syrah captures the classic balance and dark varietal flavors of Syrahs grown in the famous regions of Côte-Rôtie and Cornas (France). The wine also succeeds at reflecting the unique expression of the tiny mountainside Syrah block where the wine is grown.
Squire Fridell’s obsessive commitment to hands on growing and gentle handling of the ultra sensitive Syrah skins and seeds during fermentation have come to full fruition in his Estate grown Syrah for 2008. This wine is as focused, muscular and driven as any collectible mountainside Cabernet in the North Bay’s mountain ranges.
Primary Flavors-
Violets, earl gray tea, fresh Pluot™ black centered plums, smoldered black earth, black cola, black mineral, blackberry and raspberry cobbler, briar, Djarum™ black label cloves, white stone, red plum jelly, graphite, dark mint chocolate, flint and coal.
Secondary Flavors-
Cigar box, cinnamon, ink, leather, molasses, vanilla bean custard, smoke, geraniums, cedar box and tamarind.
Classic comparison-
An almost identical comparison would be Côte-Rôtie and Cornas AOC’s with their similar roasted dark earth and mineral spice and primary flavors of violet and plum with this Sonoma Valley Syrah.
Why 96pts? –
1) Classic Varietal flavors of traditional Northern Rhone Syrah.
2) Complete expression of this vineyard with dark mineral, earth, roasted flavors and spice.
3) Focus, intensity and power without being a heavy wine.
4) The long classical finish of an estate wine.
5) Layers of Earth/mineral, fruit and spice.
6) Harvested at perfect ripeness.
7) Suave and stylish.
Potential ageability based on minerality rather than just oak/skin tannins or acid.
3 bottles tasted, 2 bottles fully reviewed for consistency.
–Robert O’Maoilriain, Wine Critic 3-11-10
