2009 Stolpman Syrah Estate Originals
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Tasting notes
(from Stolpman's older syrah blocks, now 17 years old, according to winemaker Sashi Moorman): Bright ruby. Deeply pitched aromas of black cherry, violet and licorice. Brooding and quite primary in the mouth; the least expressive today of this winery's 2009 syrah offerings. The wine's saline impression of density is leavened by good limestone energy. The tannic spine of this rich, layered syrah calls for three or four years of patience. (ST)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Syrah Originals is cool, inward and beautifully delineated. An open, expressive bouquet leads to blueberry jam, crushed rocks and violets in this silky, textured Syrah. The finish is long and exceptionally polished. Today the Original is rather inward and brooding, but it will be a jewel once the tannins start melting away. This is an impressive showing from Stolpman.
The 2009 Syrah Originals is cool, inward and beautifully delineated. An open, expressive bouquet leads to blueberry jam, crushed rocks and violets in this silky, textured Syrah. The finish is long and exceptionally polished. Today the Original is rather inward and brooding, but it will be a jewel once the tannins start melting away. This is an impressive showing from Stolpman. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Stolpman is located in the Ballard Canyon, one of the prettiest spots in the Santa Ynez Valley. Stolpman focuses on Rhone varieties and works exclusively with estate-grown fruit from biodynamically-farmed vineyards. Sashi Moorman oversees winemaking. Tel. (805) 688-0400; www.stolpmanvineyards.com
(from the estate's oldest syrah vines) Opaque dark ruby. Compelling aromas of blackberry, smoked meat, Szechuan peppercorn, crushed rock and pastrami spices. Powerful, savory flavors of crushed blackberry and smoked meat are given energy and definition by the site's limestone soil. With aeration, the meaty quality was increasingly overshadowed by fresh, pure black raspberry and blackberry fruit. There's plenty of dusty tannins and structure here for aging. Idiosyncratic and long on personality, more Rhone in style than California.