When visiting recently with Michael Browne at Kosta Browne to taste and blend Vinfolio's Hospices of Sonoma barrel, I also had a chance to taste with Shane Finley, a former New Yorker who got his start in 2001 as a harvest intern for Copain and rose quickly from there becoming Associate Winemaker for Kosta Browne in 2006. He is introducing his new eponymous project consisting of three Syrah and a Rose. Two of the Syrah are mailing list only, and the Rose will be arriving in about a month.
Like Ryan Zepaltas who has a similar position at Siduri, Finley is producing excellent wines and Vinfolio is honored to be the exclusive retailer for his only wine that had some left over from the mailing list. The wine is called "The Unknown" and with this kind of quality, that moniker will be gone in no time.
Finley uses three complementary sources; Kick Ranch located in Rincon Valley, Jemrose Vineyard in Bennett Valley and Valenti Vineyards in Anderson Valley. Jemrose is brighter and fruitier than the massive, broad shouldered Valenti. A total of five diverse clones are sourced.
2006 Shane Syrah The Unknown, Sonoma County
Smooth nose of black currant and white pepper, the palate is jam-packed with black currant, peppery blackberry and a sachet of violet, and plump salt-sprinkled blueberry. Only 125 cases are produced.
Look for this wine soon at Vinfolio. You are welcome to place a quote request through VinCellar. There will be strict allocations for this first release.
(You may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)