2012 Syrah Eddie’s Patch

The 2012 Syrah Eddie’s Patch (a 410-case, 100% Syrah aged 18 months in 40% new French oak hogsheads) comes from 16-year-old Syrah vines. Aromas of bouquet garni, roasted meats, blackberries and blackcurrants soar from the glass of this blue/black-colored Syrah. Full-bodied with olive tapenade notes, sweet tannin and an expansive, multilayered mouthfeel, this fabulous Syrah should be drunk over the next 12-15+ years.

Graphite, melted road tar, gravel and blue/black fruit flow across the palate in the 2012 Syrah Eddie's Patch Hoppe-Kelly Vineyard. Virile and textured to the core, the 2012 is intensely mineral, nuanced and polished. Here, too, there is a lot to look forward to. The 33% whole clusters are very nicely integrated.

Barrel sample. Winemaker Andy Smith. Not much Syrah in Russian River Valley generally. Only 400 c/s produced. They make mostly Chardonnay and Pinot but this is away from coastal breezes and above the fog line. 500 ft on soils with a lot of iron, weathered mountainous soils, 2.5-acre (1-hectare) parcel. Planted 1996 to Estrella River selection on 3309 rootstock. Deep-rooted rootstock, now dry farmed and organic. Steep terrace in the warmer north-easts part of the appellation, facing due south. Whole cluster for the first-picked upper terrace (30% of fruit). Lower vines harvested later. No inoculation for fermentation or malo. Aged in French oak hogsheads, 1/3 new. pH 3.7, TA 6 g/l. Deep dark cherry colour. Sweetly ripe and floral, violets. Hint of vanilla. Blueberry sweetness at first but it finishes much more dark and dry and savoury. Dry finesse to those structuring tannins. Beautifully fresh. Precise. (JH)