2017 Ledge - Syrah Adams Ranch Vineyard

The 2017 Adam's Ranch is a blend of 52% Syrah, 48% Grenache, 2% Roussanne and 1% Mourvèdre, grown in sandy soils and made with 50% whole cluster. Pale to medium ruby, it gives up peppered charcuterie, sour cherries, scorched earth, burnt orange peel, potpourri, dried leaves, bark and Angostura bitters aromas with loads of ripe red berry fruit at the core. Medium to full-bodied and slowly unfurling in the mouth to high toned notions, it has a firm, chalky frame and good freshness on the finish.

From the state property (not far from James Berry and in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles) and a blend of 51% Syrah, 46% Grenache, 2% Roussanne, and 1% Mourvèdre, brought up mostly in neutral oak, the 2017 Adams Ranch Vineyard has a singular bouquet of black cherries, mulberries, ground pepper, sappy underbrush, and hints of bacon fat, among other things. Incredibly complex and vibrant aromatically, it's medium to full-bodied, has sappy tannins, notable balance, and a great finish. It's a cool-climate, sappy red that needs 3-5 years of bottle age and is going to keep for over a decade. Those looking for classic decadent Paso Robles Syrah need to look elsewhere, but this is beauty is the real deal. I continue to love the wines from the up and coming Mark Adams, who pulls from his estate Adams Ranch Vineyard as well as a handful of other top vineyards on the westside of Paso Robles. These are distintive, singular wines worth seeking out.