2023 Desire Lines Shake Ridge Syrah

Our 2023 Shake Ridge Ranch Syrah is flat-out gorgeous – powerful and intense on the palate, with a supple generosity, and thunderously aromatic. Black cherry, white pepper, a hint of tangerine, floral accents, cocoa, and cedar all sing from the glass. Wines from the Sierra Foothills can be remarkably fragrant at their best, and this wine has perfume in spades. As with recent vintages, this wine comes entirely from my favorite clone of Syrah (Syrah Noir, a California heritage clone introduced in 1937) from my favorite Syrah block at Shake Ridge (B-Block Upper). The wine was fermented with 50% whole cluster and 5% Viognier and raised in 33% new French oak for fifteen months without racking. This wine, with a lengthy decant, would make a fun side-by-side with our 2018 or 2019 Syrah from Shake Ridge, which are both drinking beautifully right now.