2013 The Contender Syrah
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
(13.5% alcohol): Bright ruby-red. Distinctly northern Rhône-like aromas of raspberry, lavender, garrigue , seared venison and black olive. Fully ripe but classically dry, boasting insinuating intensity to its delineated flavors of blackberry and licorice pastille. Finishes with firm tannins and excellent saline persistence. Like the In the Rocks Estate bottling, this wine neatly avoids the high-pH mouthfeel of so many Syrahs from the Rocks District.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Incorporating 3% Marsanne, the 2013 Syrah The Contender reveals a healthy ruby color to go with lots of ripe red and black fruits, mulled spices and peppery herbs in its medium-bodied, elegant, pretty style. Like all of the 2013s from this estate, it shows a more elegant, mid-weight style. Drink bottles over the coming decade or so.
Blended with 3% Marsanne, the 2013 Syrah The Contender is still aging in 35% new French oak, some of which are larger puncheons. Showing the purity and focus of the vintage, it gives up lots of cassis, black raspberry, licorice and some meatiness to go with a full-bodied, elegant and fabulously textured feel on the palate. I'm not sure it matches the awesome 2012, but it's no lightweight and will certainly impress on release and over the following decade.