2018 Carlisle Syrah Bennett Valley Radiant Ridge Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Syrah Radiant Ridge Vineyard is the first iteration of 100% Syrah from this site; usually, it is co-fermented with Mourvèdre, but this vintage the ripening curves of the two grapes were too different, so they were picked and fermented separately. It's a powerful but classy expression made using 20% whole cluster and aged in 20% new French oak. It has an opaque ruby-purple color. On the nose, there are explosive green olive, peppercorn, prosciutto, bitter chocolate and cassis aromas. The palate is full, ripe and juicy, with unabashedly savory character and full fruit balanced by great lift on the long finish. 382 cases were made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Syrah Radiant Ridge is fabulous. Inky, rich and savory, the 2018 captures all of the signatures of this cool site on the border of the Bennett Valley appellation. Black pepper, lavender, sage and spice add layers of dimension to a core on blue/purplish fruit. The 20% whole clusters are beautifully woven into the wine’s fabric. What I admire most about the 2018 is the interplay of textural richness and cool-climate savoriness. The 2018 is a compelling wine. That’s all there is to it.
From the cooler Bennett Valley in Sonoma, the 2018 Syrah Radiant Ridge Vineyard is all Syrah and has a cool-climate, complex, almost Cornas-like vibe that I certainly love. Black and blue fruits, olives, bacon fat, and ground pepper all dominate the bouquet, and this beauty hits the palate with loads of Syrah meatiness, medium to full body, ripe, polished (yet present) tannins, and a great finish. It's beautifully done and is undeniably California Syrah yet seems to have one foot in the Northern Rhône.