2016 Foothills Reserve Syrah
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Syrah Foothills Reserve is reminiscent of St. Joeseph on the nose, without the rustic minerality but still with smoked meats, black peppercorn and savory dried herbs with black olives. The medium to full-bodied palate shows firm tannins, like something from the Northern Rhône, clearly showing the spirit of Syrah with its black-fruited core, spiced black pepper and hints of oak flavors. The long, grippy and tannic finish lingers with intensity now in its youth, so try this with food or let it rest in your cellar for a few more years. Your future self will thank you. Only 208 cases produced.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Syrah Estate Foothills Reserve is a selection from the estate vineyard and was aged 11 months in neutral oak followed by 13 months in bottle. Deep purple-colored, with terrific notes of blackberries, smoked earth, graphite, cedarwood, and salted meats, it hits the palate with slightly more structure and tannin than the straight In The Hills Release, yet has terrific balance, no hard edges, and a great finish. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age, but this elegant, classic Syrah from Reynvaan will see its 15th birthday in fine form.
Bright ruby-red. Pungent aromas of black raspberry, licorice and black olive complicated by a whiff of leathery wildness; very Syrah! Savory, sweet, sappy wine with an almost glyceral richness for the vintage and a thicker texture than the Syrah In the Hills. The tannins are thoroughly buffered by black fruits and violet. This wild, classically dry Syrah finishes with excellent length.