2022 Riise Syrah Peace

Based on 84% Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre, 5% Petit Sirah, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 28 months in 70% new French oak, the 2022 Peace has a deeper ruby/plum color and offers peppery dark fruits, game, spice, violet, and incense nuances. It's medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced, with fine tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. This seamless, seductive wine will drink well through 2035. Drink 2025-2035 Now going on its fifth vintage, this remarkable startup-like endeavor is the brainchild of Juan Mercado, formerly of Realm Cellars, with the wines made by Anthony Yount. The focus here is on Rhône and Bordeaux blends from top sites across the west side of Paso, and the lineup is stacked with truly world-class wines. Quickly going over the lineup: the Doyen is built around Grenache, with varying amounts of Mourvèdre, Syrah, and at times, Bordeaux varieties. It’s usually the most open-knit and charming of the lineup, with purity, polish, and a layered profile. Peace is the Syrah-driven flagship, with plenty of structure and depth. It’s always a bigger, richer wine that should have plenty of ageability. The Jovian is based on Tempranillo blended with a mix of varieties depending on the year. It’s always slightly more savory and has plenty of classic Tempranillo tannins. Atticus comes from the Paderewski Vineyard and tends to be Grenache-heavy, with Mourvèdre playing a background role. A new cuvée, the Arbor release, leans heavily on Tempranillo and Petit Verdot, and it too is more structured. The Shadow Canyon is another new release in the lineup; it’s all Syrah from the namesake vineyard, and it’s an absolute gem of a wine that readers should snatch up. Lastly, the Fermin is typically a barrel selection of Syrah and Petite Sirah. It’s one for all of Juan’s Napa friends and is always blockbuster stuff that delivers both hedonistic and intellectual pleasure. Across the board, these are absolutely brilliant, singular wines that you can put up with the best out there.