California Syrah: top Sonoma County wines
From dark and muscular Russian River examples to delicate, ethereal wines from the coast, Sonoma County Syrahs offer an array of styles, all equally complex, discovers Matthew Luczy, who picks out 10 top wines to try.
COMING SOON: Individual AVA analysis and top California Syrah from:
Mendocino County, Napa County & Sierra Foothills, Santa Barbara County, Monterey County, Paso Robles & San Luis Obispo
Sonoma County Syrahs are some of the most consistently complex in California. From (relatively) warmer sites in the Russian River Valley to windy and foggy Sonoma Coast vineyards, this diverse region showcases an impressive array of styles.
Scroll down for Matthew Luczy’s top 10 Sonoma County Syrahs
Russian River Valley tends to provide dense and muscular Syrah – Dehlinger’s Goldridge being a definitive example. It is a wine of depth and power, where dark fruits balance out savoury elements and spice notes.
The Sonoma Coast is the source of many of California’s most exotic Syrahs. Coastal influence and cooler temperatures have a dramatic effect on grape hang times, some vineyards harvested well into November at still-moderate sugar levels.
Once a massive single AVA, Sonoma Coast has been subdivided in recent years. The newly formed Petaluma Gap AVA is home to a few top vineyards, including Griffin’s Lair, Armagh and Clary Ranch.
Pax Wines and Arnot-Roberts are crafting some of the most delicate but enthralling examples from vineyards just a few kilometres from the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Their wines are typically fermented whole-cluster and aged in neutral oak or concrete. They are often bottled young to preserve freshness, with additional complexity coming from bottle ageing rather than extended time in vessel.
Meanwhile, in the far northern reaches of the Sonoma Coast, Andy Peay achieves lacy, pretty, forest-driven Syrahs in the style of Pinot Noir. Peay’s Cep is also one of California’s best-value second labels.
Sonoma County Syrahs: 10 top wines to try
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Pax, Hillsides Syrah, Sonoma County, California, USA, 2018
A blend of Castelli-Knight, Walker Vine Hill and Griffin’s Lair vineyards. An explosive nose of cracked pepper, roasted meat, tree sap and plum sauce. The...
2018
PaxSonoma County
Arnot-Roberts, Griffin's Lair Vineyard Syrah, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast, California, USA, 2009
Wonderful secondary aromas of sandalwood, white pepper, dried herbs and dehydrated blueberries. The warm palate becomes iron-rich and metallic after exposure to air, but shows...
2009
Arnot-RobertsSonoma County
DuMOL, Estate Vineyard Syrah, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast, California, USA, 2018
The most svelte and snappy of the DuMol Syrahs, showing aromas of dark fruit, black pepper, cedar and dried flowers. After considerable air, notes of...
2018
DuMOLSonoma County
Failla, Estate Vineyard Syrah, Sonoma County, Fort Ross-Seaview, California, USA, 2018
Slow to open, but lavender, violet, black cherry and pipe tobacco aromas appear with time. The mineral palate is also tight and shy at the...
2018
FaillaSonoma County
Pax, Griffin's Lair Vineyard Syrah, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast, California, USA, 2016
A captivating nose of fennel sausage and incense which carry through the juicy, mid-weight palate. Black pepper and roasted fruit flavours come out after a...
2016
PaxSonoma County
Peay Vineyards, La Bruma Syrah, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast, California, USA, 2006
Well into its secondary phase, the nose is subtle yet enticing: aromas of cigar box, black liquorice and dried sage. The palate has great length,...
2006
Peay VineyardsSonoma County
Anthill Farms, Peters Vineyard Syrah, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast, California, USA, 2018
Spry and purple-fruited on the nose, with aromas of fresh violets, cardamom and white pepper. Silky and focused on the palate, with a deceptive number...
2018
Anthill FarmsSonoma County
Dehlinger, Goldridge Syrah, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley, California, USA, 2017
Fruit comes from selection of vineyards on prized Goldridge soils – fine sandy loam. Aromas of redcurrant, incense and fresh violet lead to a polished...
2017
DehlingerSonoma County
Peay Vineyards, Les Titans Syrah, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast, California, USA, 2017
A deep, smoldering nose of blackberry, tobacco leaf and chaparral – like the resinous garrigue of the Rhône. Initially sturdy and structured on the palate,...
2017
Peay VineyardsSonoma County
Raft, Weed Farms Syrah, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley, California, USA, 2019
Light and energetic aromas and flavours of fresh thyme, lavender, underbrush and blueberry; simple yet charming with a juicy finish. The fruit was completely destemmed...
2019
RaftSonoma County
