Navarro Vineyards - 2012 Syrah

2012 Syrah
Mendocino
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Horse of a darker color

We never cease to be amazed at how wine varieties go in and out of fashion. While Pinot Noir sales increased throughout California (and especially in the Anderson Valley), Syrah and Shiraz shipments, by volume, actually decreased in 2013. Statistical data can be so frustrating; at the same time that Syrah sales decreased, blended red shipments to California consumers had a hefty increase. To be sure, Navarro's Navarrouge has a generous splash of Syrah and Grenache, but 2012 was such a warm and sun-drenched season, we wanted to let Navarro's red Rhône varietals have solo appearances. Rich and ripe, with middle-eastern spices and a touch of violets and olallieberry in the aromas, this wine is an example of some of the nicest grapes from Mendocino's toasty Russian River Valley that should never go out of fashion. Gold Medal winner.

We purchase three grape varieties, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, from Jason Dolan's biodynamically farmed Dark Horse Vineyards. Red winemaking requires keeping the juice in contact with the skins to extract color and flavors; fermenting grape skins rise to the top and must be re-introduced to the juice. Rather than pumping the red fermenting juice back over the top, we prefer to manually shove the skins back into the juice, which helps keep the tannins supple.

Specifications

Harvested: Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, 2012
Sugars at harvest: 26.9 ° Brix
Bottled: Aug. 22, 2013
Cases produced: 253
Alcohol: 14.7%
Titratable acidity: 6.0 g/L
pH: 3.73

2013 Syrah, Mendocino

The 2013 Syrah ($27) is good, with a strong note of cherry and a bit of chocolate. .- Anne Valdespino, The Orange County7 Register, April 5, 2016

2009 Syrah, Mendocino

This dark ruby colored Syrah opens with a mild pomegranate bouquet with a hint of black raspberry and gentle oak. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and savory. The flavor profile is gentle plum with notes of mild minerality and faint old oak. I also detected a hint of black pepper and spice. The finish is dry and its mild tannins are friendly and linger nicely. This Syrah would be perfect with a Kobe bacon burger with sauteed mushrooms. Enjoy – KenKen Hoggin, www.KensWineGuide.com, March 16, 2013.

2006 Syrah, Mendocino

Has a nose of blackberry, soft pepper, light earth, and dried plum all accented with a sweet note. All continue as juicy flavors with the additions of baked Montmorency cherry and a hint of oak plus light, fine, dry tannin. The finish is medium-long and medium-broad. The wine is medium bodied and well structured, integrated, and balanced. Good. Harold Baer, www.haroldbaerwine.com, February 8, 2011.

Tight and well structured, delivering a reigned in mix of tar, dried berry, anise and mineral. Gains depth and complexity with tannins that give this traction. Drink now through 2017. - James Laube, Wine Spectator , March 31, 2010.

2004 Syrah, Mendocino

Huckleberry and cranberry dominate the fruity notes in this syrah. Good acidity... I think this wine will continue to develop, though. - Good Wines Under $20, October 12, 2007.

1996 Syrah, Mendocino

Very dark color; fragrant, gamey, licorice, spicy light pepperminty, black cherry with some toasty oak nose. Fairly rich and long. Needs 2-5 yrs age. Interesting wine. - Tom Hill, Los Olivos Wine & Spirits, March 22, 2000.

1995 Syrah, Mendocino

Of the eight Syrahs (entered in the Mendocino County fair), we awarded three bronze medals, two silvers and a gold medal, which went to Navarro Vineyards' first effort in this varietal, a stunning 1995 Syrah made from grapes harvested at the Scharffenberger family's Eaglepoint Ranch in inland Mendocino County near Ukiah. It won't be released until next March, but even now offers a complex, fragrant, appealing nose of plumy black fruits, leather, mint, raw red meat and vanilla, reminiscent of the finest Syrahs from the northern Rhone. The palate is silky with broad, deep, generous flavors that replicate the nose. - Steve Picher, Vintner's Choice, "Syrah Grows Brighter", 2001.

Highly recommended. Solid ruby. A little reduced from recent bottling, but surely very typical Syrah in a St. Joseph, supple style. Lots of sweet blackberry flavors, with a light peppery undertone. Hints of anise. Rich fruit and soft tannins, well-balanced finish. - The Wine Authority, November 1998.

From its Eaglepoint vineyards, Lonetree also sells Syrah to Navarro, which made a beauty in 1995. - Norm Roby, The Wine News, "Rhone Winemaking with Attitude", August/September 1998.