2021 En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah

Nuances of blood orange and sweet sage give way to seared meat, sawdust and dried black cherries as the seductively savory 2021 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard explodes from the glass. It's cool-toned and sleek with sinewy textures and masses of dark red and black fruits infused with licorice. Edgy tannins, a core of salty minerals and a hint of bull's blood embellish the long and structured finish. This serious rendition of En Chamberlin is transporting me to the Northern Rhône.

One of the more black and blue-fruited Syrahs in the lineup in 2021, the 2021 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard is deep ruby/plum-hued and offers a beautiful perfume of ground pepper, liquid violets, crushed stone, and bouquet garni. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, and ripe, polished tannins. It has a little bit of Cayuse funk, but this is a pure, focused, impressive Syrah that will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar.

The 2021 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard displays a firm ruby hue with a magenta core, revealing hints of garnet at the rim. This medium-bodied wine offers a smoky, meaty profile with a broad structure and ripe, round tannins. Complex flavors, including bacon fat, spiced plum compote and savory umami essence, unfold on the palate. The finish is long and spicy, making it highly food friendly. This has me daydreaming about fire-roasted lamb chops. The wine aged for 18 months, with 15% to 20% new French oak contributing to its depth and complexity. 4,704 bottles were produced.