California Syrah: top Napa County and Sierra Foothills wines
The key counties of Amador and El Dorado in the Sierra Foothills produce a variety of Syrah styles, from powerful to delicate. Matthew Luczy recommends his top picks, along with several from Napa County, where there are still prime Syrah vineyards that have not been turned over to Bordeaux varieties.
COMING SOON: Individual AVA analysis and top California Syrah from:
Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Santa Barbara County, Monterey County, Paso Robles & San Luis Obispo
The Sierra Foothills are the centre of California’s Gold County. The region is planted with a diverse array of grapes, but thick-skinned red varieties like Syrah are best suited to its high elevations, warm daytime temperatures and lack of ocean influence.
Scroll down for the top-scoring Napa County and Sierra Foothills Syrahs
Amador County is the heart of the region, featuring soils rich in iron content. The most prized vineyard is Shake Ridge Ranch, due in large part to the dedication of its owner Ann Kraemer.
She has become something of a local legend, and tailors her farming to the needs of each client. Her customers range from Napa Valley power-couple Annie Favia and Andy Erickson for their powerful Quarzo Syrah, to Sonoma County’s Desire Lines with its more lacy, delicate expression.
To the north of Amador is El Dorado County, where high-elevation vineyards often see snowfall in the winter. The Syrahs here show more elegance than the brooding power of Amador. Skinner Vineyards, which can trace its lineage back to the mid-1800s, produces a Syrah that is equal parts gritty and ethereal.
Pockets of Napa Valley produce unique and fascinating iterations of Syrah, although many older plantings have been replaced with more suitable varieties for the terroirs here.
On Mount Veeder, Lagier Meredith produces a beautifully transparent example that exudes the rustic, plush qualities intrinsic to the region. Failla sources fruit from its famed Hudson vineyard in Carneros for a weighty but deft Syrah, while Ram’s Gate achieves similar poise from the Hyde vineyard.
Blending vineyards from multiple regions is an art all of its own. Morgan Twain-Peterson MW and Chris Cottrell of Bedrock Wine Co produce a truly stunning California-designate Syrah from vineyards spanning the Sierra Foothills, North Coast and Central Coast.
Matthew Luczy’s top Napa County and Sierra Foothills Syrahs
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Favia, Quarzo Syrah, Amador County, California, USA, 2010
From Shake Ridge Ranch, a classic Amador site meticulously farmed by Ann Kraemer. Entering its secondary phase, with aromas of dried raspberries, incense, bay leaf...
2010
FaviaAmador County
Lagier Meredith, Syrah, Napa Valley, Mt Veeder, California, USA, 2018
A 1.6ha site planted at 400m on shale and sandstone. The forest-driven, oceanic qualities of Mount Veeder come through in spades. Aromas of pine needles,...
2018
Lagier MeredithNapa Valley
Favia, Quarzo Syrah, Amador County, California, USA, 2016
Ann Kraemer custom-farms her Shake Ridge Ranch based on the goals of her clients. This is concentrated and lifted on the nose: raspberry liqueur, lavender...
2016
FaviaAmador County
Bedrock Wine Co, Syrah, California, USA, 2018
Sourced from classic sites in Sonoma, Mendocino, Santa Barbara and Amador Counties, with 10% Viognier added. Black pepper, dried lavender, allspice and tobacco leaf aromas....
2018
Bedrock Wine Co
Desire Lines, Shake Ridge Ranch Syrah, Amador County, California, USA, 2018
A shrubby, dried-herb quality on the nose hangs behind spry dark fruits and fresh violets. Zesty and energetic on the palate, melding black cherry, red...
2018
Desire LinesAmador County
Failla, Hudson Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley, Los Carneros, California, USA, 2018
An enticing mixture of blueberry, plum, violet and charcoal aromas. The palate is velvety and supple, with layers of dark berries interspersed with grilled fruit...
2018
FaillaNapa Valley
Skinner, Syrah, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado County, California, USA, 2018
Blackberry, bramble, black olive and sage aromas. The palate is fresh and lively, while retaining an upright and serious structure alongside dried black fruits, charcoal...
2018
SkinnerSierra Foothills
Ram's Gate, Hyde Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley, Los Carneros, California, USA, 2018
A perfumed, floral rendition of Syrah with blueberries, pomegranate and white flowers on the nose, then a mix of red, black and purple fruits on...
2018
Ram's GateNapa Valley
