2020 The Contender Syrah

A dark and rich bouquet of red plums, olive tapenade, cracked slate and nuances of seared meat wafts up from the 2020 The Contender. It's soft and sleek with a wiry acid framework that perfectly offsets its textural red and black fruits. The 2020 becomes distinctly savory through the finish, energetic yet lightly structured. Spiced citrus and currant linger on and on. This is transporting me to the Northern Rhône. The Contender is a co-fermented blend of 98% Syrah and 2% Marsanne.

Lastly, the 2020 Syrah The Contender checks in as an interesting mix of 98% Syrah and 2% Marsanne. This full-bodied, deep, layered rock star of a Syrah has smoky, meaty, game aromatics, a dense, textured mid-palate, building tannins, and complex notes of charcuterie, ground pepper, iron, and earth. Gorgeously textured and balanced, with a great finish, it's going to evolve for another 15-20 years in cold cellars. It's a top Hermitage look-alike.

This shows notes of ripe brambleberries and plums with chocolate cedar, ground spices and wet stones. Medium- to full-bodied, sleek and juicy with fine-grained tannins and a dusty, supple texture. Lots of spices and stony mineral notes with savory dark fruit and flowers. Lingering finish. 98% syrah and 2% marsanne, co-fermented. Unfiltered and unfined. Drink or hold.