2014 Domaine des Chirats Rockpile Syrah, Sonoma, USA

The first project of Jeff Cohn and Yves Cuilleron has translated into a huge success. The vineyard selected has the oldest planting of Syrah at Rockpile. At 600meters elevation with 20 year-old vines, this wine is not French, not California, but pure Rockpile Syrah.

With scores from 94-97 points, their new wine will continue to be a favourite for years to come.

 ‘The 2014 Syrah Domaine Des Chirats comes from Rockpile. It is a collaboration with Yves Cuilleron from France’s Northern Rhône. This is made from what is believed to be Chapoutier suitcase clones.

It is 100% Syrah aged in about 30% new French oak with about 30% whole clusters during the fermentation. Beautiful elegance and complexity with notes of blueberry, blackberry, floral notes, and great acid, this is a dead ringer for a Northern Hermitage or Côte-Rôtie. A gorgeous, dense purple colour to the rim, sweet, juicy fruit, full body, but again, incredible freshness and vibrancy. This is a stunner and comes in at 15.2% natural alcohol, but seems light on its feet. Drink it over the next decade or more.

P.S. As it sits in the glass, some bacon fat, lard and meaty notes also emerge.'

95 points - Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate