2017 Bouquet Garni Syrah
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One of the highlights in this range, the 2017 Syrah Bouquet Garni explodes from the glass with remarkable intensity. Inky dark fruit, licorice, grilled herbs, menthol and licorice give the Syrah tremendous presence. The fruit is fully destemmed, and yet this cool site in Bennett Valley (Judge Vineyard) yields a Syrah with tons of aromatic intensity. The 2017 is a blend of three field selections, co-fermented and vinified in a combination of puncheon and stainless steel. More than anything, the 2017 is captivating, and also a fitting finish to this tasting.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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Syrah Bouquet Garni is made from a field selection of three Syrah clones planted to a vineyard in Sonoma’s Bennett Valley. Deep purple-black in color, the 2017 Syrah Bouquet Garni springs form the glass with savory/earthy elements of dried herbs, black olives, charcoal and beef drippings over a core of fresh blackberries and warm plums plus a waft of cigar box. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a compelling chewiness to the texture, matching all those savory layers, finishing long and pepper-laced. 147 cases were made.
Not yet bottled, the 2017 Syrah Bouquet Garni comes all from Bennett Valley and is 100% Syrah that will be bottled in May of this year. It has an attractive bouquet of blue and red fruits, violets, lavender, and gamey, pan dripping-like characteristics. (I actually wrote mint covered lamb in my notes.) These carry to a medium to full-bodied, seamless Syrah that has beautiful fruit and considerable elegance, yet still with plenty of classic cool climate Syrah wildness. It’s going to be a beautiful wine that will drink nicely in its youth yet also evolve for 10-12 years or more.