2016 Gramercy Cellars Syrah Lagniappe

Initially shy on the nose, the 2016 Syrah Lagniappe first shows a dusty core of dark red and black fruit tones, then reveals cassis, black raspberry and blackcurrant aromas alongside subtle notes of dusty dried herbs, ground pepper and hints of smoked meat. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, the wine leads with softened Syrah expressions and has a focused line of minerality through to the mid-palate, with good balance, softer, grainy tannins and structured acidity. It ends with red-fruit jus and mild black pepper tones on the finish. Only 573 cases made. If you are looking for a generous and robust style of Syrah, this delicate, elegant and mineral-driven bottling is not for you.

The 2016 Syrah Lagniappe comes, as always, all from the Red Willow Vineyard and saw tons of stems and aging in neutral barrels. This deep ruby-colored effort has a beautiful perfume of black fruits, smoked earth, ground pepper, game, and crushed violets. Medium-bodied, silky and pure on the palate, with no hard edges, it's another wine from Gramercy that’s more lightweight and straightforward than normal, yet shines for its elegance, purity, and complexity. While it’s no doubt an impressive wine, it’s a solid step back from prior top vintages. While I continue to love the wines from Gramercy Cellars, I found these latest releases, while still outstanding, to be a clear step down from previous vintages.

Bright ruby-red. Crushed blackberry, olive tapenade, peppery herbs, licorice and minerals on the perfumed nose. At once cool and densely packed, showing much more ripeness than the Forgotten Hills Syrah with no loss of energy. This is simply riper, more filled in and more expressive yet with lovely retention of peppery acidity and nothing roasted or tired about it. Complex, subtle, energetic and light on its feet, finishing savory and very long, with a suave but firm dusting of tannins that should carry this wine for another eight to ten years. A very captivating wine--as good as the 2015 but in a tighter style. (13.1% alcohol)