2015 Richards Family Vineyard Syrah
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The 2015 Syrah Richards Family Vineyard is always one of the most singular Syrahs in the lineup (although these all show singular characters). It comes from a single vineyard on Sonoma Mountain and saw a big chunk of stems (80%) and a full 28 months in just under 40% new oak. It has a stunning perfume of sweet black raspberries, olives, lavender, ground pepper, and herbes de Provence that develops with time in the glass. A ripe, rounded, sexy vintage for this wine, it has terrific concentration and depth, yet stays seamless and perfectly balanced. It's another remarkable Syrah from this team that needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for 10-15 years.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2015 Syrah Richards Family Vineyard is a big, heady wine that is also marked by the heat of the vintage in both its flavor profile and its overall feel. Super-ripe black cherry, blackberry, plum, chocolate and sweet spice are all pushed forward. The tannins have an edginess to them that may resolve in time. We will see. Today, the 2015 doesn't quite reach the level of the best editions, its considerable appeal and immediacy notwithstanding.
This wine sees an additional year of élevage, so 2015 is the current release. It's made of 100% Syrah with 80% whole cluster, aged 28 months in 38% new oak. Medium to deep ruby-purple, the 2015 Syrah Richard's Vineyard has a nose of garrigue, dried herbs, dusty earth and wild blackberries, opening to olive, charcuterie, baker's chocolate, salted licorice and a strong mineral streak. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky in the mouth with lovely layers of savory, mineral, spice and fruit notions, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and great freshness, finishing very long. 166 cases produced.