2022 Riise Syrah Fermin

A barrel selection based on two-thirds Syrah and one-third Petite Sirah from the Shadow Canyon and Four Hearts vineyards and aged 27 months in 80% new French oak, the 2022 Fermin offers decadent blackberries, melted chocolate, graphite, and peppery, leafy herb notes. It's a fruit bomb and sexy beast on the palate, with full-bodied richness, a plush mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and a great finish. This massive effort will drink well over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2040. 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.