2014 The Tribe Vineyard Syrah
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Tasting notes
Cassis and blue plums with a thread of wild herbs in the mix, as well as woody spices. The palate rolls out on a sappy, stalky spine that carries ripe red plums and ripe tannins, which flesh out nicely through the finish. 100% syrah. Drink or hold.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(13.2% alcohol, this 3-1/2-acre vineyard planted to small-berried Alban Syrah clones--Baron described them as Petit Serine--is situated next to En Chamberlain). Bright ruby-red. Captivating black pepper lift to the aromas of purple fruits, violet, leather and smoke, reminded me of Cornas. Dense, savory, rich and dry, with its purple fruit flavors currently overshadowed by saddle leather and salty minerality, plus a hint of peppery rawness. Finishes with plush, fine-grained tannins. Despite this wine's plump, savory, high-pH mouth feel, it needs time to blossom in the bottle.
From a site that's next to En Chamberlin that's planted with a 4x4 spacing (the Sur Echalas is 3x3), the 2014 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard offers more fruit (blackberry, black cherry) as well as beautiful notes of violets, rose petal, pepper and earth. Fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged in neutral puncheons, this full-bodied beauty has fine tannin, juicy acidity and a great finish. It's in direct contrast to the more masculine, meaty, umami style of the Sur Echalas Vineyard. Give it 2-3 years and it too will be long lived!