2015 Syrah Rodger Creek
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Tasting notes
The 2015 Syrah Rodgers Creek Vineyard is going to need at least a year in bottle to soften, as the tannins are quite imposing at this stage. Leather, spice, tobacco, cedar and menthol add attractive layers of nuance to a Syrah that stands out for its powerful, exotic personality.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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"I used to pick riper," David Ramey says of his Syrahs. "By 2015, I had gotten it right and started picking a bit fresher." Medium to deep ruby, the 2015 Syrah Rodger's Creek Vineyard, made with 8% Viognier, features scents of dried red cherry, wild blackberry, cracked peppercorn, grilled lamb, dusty earth, potpourri and fried rosemary. Medium to full-bodied, it's lively in the mouth with a strong mineral vein, with wonderfully soft, pixelated tannins and great freshness, finishing long, layered and chocolaty. 422 cases were made.
Another Côte Rôtie look-alike is the 2015 Syrah Rodgers Creek Vineyard, which is loaded with exotic notions of salted meat, ground pepper, spring flowers, and assorted red and black fruits. From a site in the cooler Petaluma Gap, this medium to full-bodied, concentrated Syrah has integrated acidity, fine tannins, and a beautiful finish.
The 2015 Syrah Rodgers Creek Vineyard deftly balances fruit richness with the more savory, cold-climate notes that are typical of this site in the Petaluma Gap. Black cherry, cloves, new leather, licorice, spice and black pepper all run through this super-expressive, brooding Syrah. This is another wine in the range with terrific potential.