A beautiful expression of Syrah, with rustic leathery flavors supporting primary red and black fruit ones, an evocative bouquet, and a long, lingering finish. Randall Grahm at Bonny Doon experiments with all sorts of grape varieties these days, but his Rhône-style reds, which first brought him national attention twenty years ago, remain his forte. This one outperforms the vast majority of California Syrahs on the market, and can compete admirably with reds from Cornas, Côte-Rotie, Saint-Joseph, even Hermitage. It’s that good.
Bonny Doon Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara County, California) Syrah 2011
By Paul Lukacs