Syrah is such a fascinating grape. After nearly 25 years of studying wine, I still find it utterly captivating. While Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are often seen as the most transparent varieties, speaking most clearly of terroir, I would argue that Syrah can be even more expressive of its environment, a grape capable of conveying a remarkably vivid sense of place. Today’s offering is a perfect example: Red Car’s perfumed, elegant, ultra-cool-climate Syrah from the Sonoma Coast. The fruit comes from vineyards planted within 10 miles of the ocean, where the long, slow growing season stretched into mid to late October before harvest. Fermentation included a healthy portion of whole clusters in small open-top fermenters, with daily hand punch-downs and native yeast fermentation. The wine was then aged for 15 months in 500-liter French oak puncheons, only 10% new, with the balance in well-seasoned barrels. The intent is clear: to preserve the soaring floral aromatics and savory intensity of this cool-climate Syrah without masking it with an obvious winemaking signature. The result is a benchmark expression of both grape and place. Aromas and flavors of violets, cracked peppercorn, blackberry preserve, cured meat, cast iron, spiced citrus peel, and dried rose petal unfold beautifully in the glass. Despite its cool-climate pedigree and savory, brooding character, the wine is surprisingly approachable, with a lovely core of fruit on the mid-palate that makes it especially drinkable. A wonderful Syrah, made even more compelling by our incredible Insider’s Advantage pricing. All this quality and pedigree for under $20? Just wow. Load up - you won’t regret it. Cheers!

Sourced from Red Car's Estate and Romondo vineyards, the 2021 Red Car Sonoma Coast is classic cool climate Syrah - savory with bright acidity and polished tannins. It is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 18% new. Savory aromas of black olive, lavender, dark plum, mint, black pepper, with bright, vibrant acidity, and a weightlessness on the palate common to Sonoma Coast wines.