2010 Syrah Eddie’s Patch
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The 2010 Syrah Eddie’s Patch represents great Syrah. Aged 17 months on its lees in 43% new French oak, this inky/purple-colored Syrah offers a big, sweet kiss of charcoal, truffle, blackberries, licorice, roasted meats and bouquet garni. The blackberry component continues on the palate of this full-bodied, superbly textured, rich, savory Syrah. Drink this mouthfilling 2010 over the next decade or more. Since its founding in 1996, DuMol has been one of the superstar wineries of the entire California North Coast. They primarily focus on gorgeous Burgundian-styled Chardonnays from cool micro-climates as well as Pinot Noirs, with the added attraction of one Viognier and one or two Syrahs. They have been consistent from the beginning with winemaker Andy Smith, who has a brilliant record not only at DuMol, but at several other estates where he is the full-time winemaker, particularly the Napa Valley estate of Larkmead, just north of St. Helena. All five 2011 Chardonnays I tasted merit serious attention from consumers. Forget the difficulties of this vintage as DuMol came through with flying colors. All of the 2011 Pinot Noirs were harvested before the heavy rains fell in October, except for the Cuvee Ian, which was completely declassified. The three vintages of Syrah Eddie’s Patch I tasted come from a vineyard called Hoppe-Kelly, which is planted in red soils southeast of Healdsburg, near Chalk Hill. Tel. (925) 254-8922
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
DuMol's 2010 Syrah Eddie's Patch Hoppe-Kelly Vineyard is beautifully centered. Savory herbs, licorice, graphite, menthol, blackberries all jump from the glass. Vibrant and totally alive, the 2010 stands out for its focus and sheer verve. Another year or two in bottle should only help the 2010 show even better. Layers of fruit build to the explosive, intense finish. Simply put, this is dazzling juice. Wow!
(made with a third whole clusters and 43% new oak): Glass-staining purple. Cherry compote, cassis and blueberry on the nose, with hints of olive, violet and vanilla gaining strength with air. Big, mouthfilling and chewy, with surprising finesse and lift to its fleshy black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors. Velvety and expansive syrah, with supple tannins giving support and shape to the impressively long, smoky-sweet finish. (JR)
Slightly more mineral-laced and focused, with brilliant purity of fruit, the 2010 DuMOL Syrah Eddie's Patch (100% Syrah aged 17 months in 43% new French oak hogsheads) is easily one of the top Russian River Valley Syrahs being made today. Full-bodied, rich, and powerful, yet also incredibly elegant, pure, and fresh, it possesses thrilling aromatics of smoked blackberry fruit, wet stone like minerality, hints of chocolate, liquid flowers, and peppered meat-like nuances that continue to develop and gain in intensity and richness over the evening. While reasonably approachable today, with plenty of ripe tannin, it will be better in 2-3 years, and drink beautifully for over a decade after that.