2021 Martin Woods Syrah The Rocks

Pouring a jeweled ruby/purple-tinged hue, the 2021 Syrah Rockbar Vineyard is beautiful on the nose, with ripe, pristine aromas of kirsch, candied flowers, pepper, savory earth, and conifer. Medium-bodied and savory from the jump, it leads with mouthwatering, salty, dark stony earth, earth and has a weightless but ripe feel. Drink it over the coming 15 years. The estate made 250 cases of this wine, and Evan wishes he had more.

The 2021 Syrah Rockbar Vineyard lifts up, wildly aromatic, lifted yet intense, with a mass of lavender and violet florals contrasting depths of black fruits, olive tapenade and spiced citrus. This is cool-toned and wickedly fresh, with a cascade of tart wild berries flowing across a stream of brisk acidity as tangerine hints add amazing contrast. It finishes long and youthfully inward, leaving a licorice tinge and edgy tannins, yet it is a model of freshness. 50% whole clusters and matured for fourteen months in all neutral oak.

The 2021 Syrah Rockbar Vineyard comes from self-rooted vines planted in 2016. It was vinified using 50% whole clusters, macerated for 35 days and matured for 15 months. It has inviting scents of blueberry, blackcurrant, game meat, charcoal and olives with hints of violet. Light-bodied and super fresh, it skips through the mouth with weightless, supple, spicy fruit and has a long, floral finish.