2020 Syrah SJR Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Syrah SJR Vineyard wafts up with a captivating blend of white pepper, rosemary, dusty stone, olives and browned butter. It’s velvety-smooth yet full of energy, impressing further with its savory and deeply textural character. Black fruits envelop the senses. The 2020 finishes long and potent, yet still remarkably fresh, leaving a salty flourish and licorice to linger. There is just 10% new oak in all large-format barrels. This is a stunning representation of the Rocks District terroir with a well-measured stamp of Todd Alexander’s winemaking prowess. Sadly, 2021 (the next release) will be the last vintage of SJR Syrah from Force Majeure, as Delmas has decided to stop selling fruit from their vineyard.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Always a more open, exotic wine compared to the Red Mountain Estate Syrah, the 2020 Syrah SJR Vineyard is deep plum-hued and reveals a gorgeous perfume of ripe plums, smoked meats, acacia flowers, lavender, and iron, with beautiful background spicy nuances developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, opulent, and concentrated on the palate, it has solid tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and outstanding length. Unfortunately, there's a very subtle touch of smokiness on the finish that gives me pause, so I'd lean toward drinking bottles over the coming decade as opposed to hiding them in the cellar.
Opening with a classic Walla Walla nose with big and juicy notes of spiced plum, dark cherry and black pepper with hints of bacon and leather, the 2020 Syrah SJR Vineyard displays a soft rocky essence. Medium to full-bodied, the wine offers an umami essence with hints of oak. It shows a succulent mineral mouthfeel and reveals layers of complexity over the rocky and juicy finish. The wine spent 17 months in 15% new French oak. 1,600 bottles produced.