The 2021 Sarah’s Vineyard Syrah is based on this noble variety of France’s Northern Rhone, responsible worldwide for classic reds. From French Hermitage to Australian Shiraz, Syrah is one of the most popular and widely-planted red wine grapes.
The Syrah for our 2021 release came from our good friend George Besson, Jr.’s old vineyard, just 300 yards to the east of Sarah’s. This historic property was originally planted in 1922. George’s and our estates bridge the historic Santa Clara Valley and the cooler climate “Mt. Madonna” district of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. Here fog and winds from nearby Monterey Bay dramatically cool down the vineyards, extending the growing season and providing unique conditions for complex Rhone cultivars.
The ’21 Syrah is both bold and structured but also soft and well-rounded. It is rich in color and flavor with an intense fruit presence of black plum, cassis, and brambly blackberries with a hint of leather. Towards the finish, it shows a layer of clove and baking spice. Pair this Syrah with our recipe for Sarah’s French Dip Sandwiches.
2021 Besson Vineyard Syrah - 95 Points, Wine Enthusiast
From one of the more historic vineyards in California, this bottling offers dark but fresh aromas of açaí, blueberry, lilac and peppercorn on the nose. The palate is full and layered in grippy tannins, showing elderberry jam, black pepper and rosemary flavors atop an acidity that flickers into the finish. - Matt Kettman
