Syrah
Calypso Vineyard, 2012

$ 60.00

My favorite syrahs tend to come from sites where the grapes may not be able to ripen to the same degree every vintage. Calypso Vineyard, perched in a slightly warmer, higher site inside this very cool area, is one of those. It is farmed practically single–handedly by owner Otis Holt, and is truly a labor of love.

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Winemaker's Notes

Admittedly, I love this variety when it expresses its best characteristics:  Hedonism and nuance in equal measure.  I have come to see 2012 as a very good vintage in Sonoma County overall, favoring the later, more tannic varieties a bit more when compared to vintages just before and following.  Green and black olive nuances give way to seductive perfumes and haunting dark, tarry bass notes.  The mouth is very full and round but reined in by appropriate acidity and tannin (structure).  Not at all sweet, it is simply very round, full and engaging and in balance with its angular side.  Aging for three years on its lees in older cooperage without racking gives the wine plenty of texture and subtle nuance without robbing its trust fund of oxygen appetite for the long-term proposition for its bottle voyage.  Lavender, herbal and floral notes really gain with time in the glass as do those sneaky red fruit nuances that make us salivate.  This site being a slightly warm pocket in a very cool region defines the parameters.  As we have seen, not every vintage is warm enough or dry long enough into the fall to make this kind of wine.  But we will gladly accept those rare vintages for the vintages where this is possible and make more rosé when it is extremely cool or the fall rains begin earlier than usual.

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Reviews

  1. Judi Scherrer

    VinousFebruary 2016

    The 2012 Syrah Calypso Vineyard is fabulous. Decidedly old-school in its interplay of fruit, acidity and tannin, the 2012 offers up tons of black fruit, mocha, spice, leather and savory herbs, all in a somewhat rustic yet pleasing style. There is real depth and concentration here, along with enough pedigree to support at least a handful of years in the cellar. 94 Points. Antonio Galloni

  2. Judi Scherrer

    California GrapevineJuly 2016

    Medium-dark ruby; attractive, forward, blackberry fruit aroma with peppery and meaty notes and hints of tapenade and dark chocolate; full body; rich, ripe, peppery, black fruit flavors with some suppleness in the mouthfeel; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Approachable now as it developed with airing in the glass, though will benefit with further bottle aging. Very highly recommended. My Score: 91 Nick Ponomareff

  3. Judi Scherrer

    The Wine AdvocateOctober 2016

    Scherrer hit pay dirt again with his 2012 Syrah Calypso Vineyard. Opaque purple with notes of steak tartare, lavender, blackberry and cassis, this is a big, rich, juicy and succulent Syrah to drink over the next decade. 93+ Points. Robert Parker

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