2012 Walker Vine Hill Syrah
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Syrah Walker Vine Hill is another ripe, concentrated 2012 from this estate. Sporting a deep ruby/purple color as well as notes of blackberries, blueberries, crushed rock, peppery herbs, and charcoal, it has an elegant, moderately tannic and concentrated style that’s going to benefit from another year or three of bottle age. It doesn’t appear to hit the heights of the 2013 now, yet it’s also more closed and reticent. It should be at its best from 2019-2030.
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Syrah Walker Vine Hill is the most vivid and nuance of these wines. Rose petal, mint, lavender, spices and mint are all laced together in the glass. The Walker Vine Hill is lifted, aromatic and silky, with gorgeous understated precision and tons of nuance. Sweet floral and spice notes reappear on the gracious, feminine finish. (AG)
The single-vineyard Syrah, the 2012 Syrah Walker Vine Hill comes from the heart of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay country in Russian River, just up the street from the Kistler and Dehlinger wineries. Relatively modest in alcohol by certain California Syrah standards (13.7%), it was aged 20 months in 23% new French Oak. The wine, which they’ve been producing since 2001, has a deep ruby purple color, a big sweet kiss of roasted meats, herbs, pepper and spice, blackberry fruit that unfolds gracefully in a full-bodied but elegant, stylish nose, with a hint of pepper and spice box. The last vintage will be 2013, as they will no longer have access to this vineyard. This wine should drink well for 10-15 years.