96 Points -
"Taking things to the next level, the 2018 Syrah Outer Limits is highly aromatic and expansive in its aromas of pine sap, black cherry preserve, black pepper, and wild lavender. Full-bodied, it has good lift and fresh acidity, with more energy, and notes of olive brine, and charcuterie. This red offers classic appeal, with a good balance of fruity and savory elements. Drink 2023-2040." - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com, July 2023
Tasting Notes
Black and blue fruits drive the aroma initially in this Sonoma Coast Syrah, with slight gamy characters, garrigue, blond tobacco and lilac aromas. Tasting the wine one finds ripe blueberry and black currant flavors, and tannins that express the wine's mountaintop sourcing. This dense and spicy Syrah was crafted in a style reminiscent of the great wines of the Northern Rhone Valley
Historic Acclaim
2018: 96 Points, Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com, July 2023
2017: 94 Points, Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com, July 2023
2016: 95 Points, Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, September 2022
2015: 95 Points, Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, August 2021
2014: 93 Points, Tim Fish, The Wine Spectator, September 2019
2014: 91 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com, June 2019
Vineyard & Vintage Character
Our Outer Limits™ Vineyard Syrah comes from an estate vineyard site, located on a windswept ridge area near Annapolis. The vineyard, which also is the source of our Far Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir bottlings, is a very cool site surrounded by redwood forests, over an hour north of the Russian River. This Sonoma Coast mountain ridge is four miles from the Pacific Ocian at 900 feet elevation. The soils are the Goldridge series on top of older volcanic bedrock, which drives a balance between fruit, complexity, and structure.
Wine Details
Oak: 100% French oak; 38% new.
Time in oak: 20 months
Alcohol: 14.9%
TA: 5.6 g / L
pH: 3.66
Cases produced: 170
No fining or filtration