Quick, can you give me the taste markers for Napa Cabernet? How about Zinfandel, Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. Of course you can. Now try again for California Syrah? Gotchya! And that in a nutshell is why California Syrah continues to lag behind the so called experts expectations for the variety.
Last week at the Artisano event held outside of Santa Rosa, I had the opportunity to taste two Syrahs that may help change all that; Valdez Family Winery and Acorn Alegria Vineyard, both from Russian River Valley.
Most CA Syrahs are fruit bombs that have so much roasted meat on the nose, that in the words of Crystal McCauley, one of my instructors at CIA, it smells like you are outside a BBQ joint in Texas. These two do not have any of that. They are clean and have noses reminiscent of a Cote Rotie or Croze Heritage. Not to say there is not smoked meat on the nose, there is. But bright cherry fruit and earthy tones are also there giving them both great balance.
The Valdez is 100% Syrah and is available on their website for $50.00 per bottle. A little pricey, but one of the best Syrahs I've tasted from California. The Acorn Alegria Vineyard is a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% viognier as is $33 per bottle. Both are outstanding and worth seeking out.
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