2012 Syrah Vellutini Ranch
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Tasting notes
More roasted meat smells, lavender, bacon fat, herbs and pepper are all present in the dense, purple-colored 2012 Syrah Vellutini Ranch. This multi-layered, limited production (117 cases) wine should also drink well for a decade. One of the Martinellis’ most famous sites, the Hop Barn Hills Vineyard always produces incredibly low yields, which in 2012 was less than a ton of fruit per acre.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Syrah Vellutini Ranch is one of the riper, more overt wines in this range. Dark red and black stone fruits, smoke, new leather, French oak and cloves meld together in a distinctive, powerful Syrah. Lavender, violets and mint add nuance on the finish. Despite its mid-palate pliancy and suppleness, the Vellutini Ranch remains quite dark and brooding. I would give the 2012 at least another year or two in bottle to fully come together.
About the producer
Martinelli is a Sonoma benchmark for vineyard-designate bottlings—wines built to highlight how strongly a single site can shape Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel. Across the range, the focus stays consistent: small-production bottlings that feel distinctly tied to where they’re grown.