Winemaker's Notes
Syrah, like Zinfandel and certainly Pinot Noir, express themselves differently according to where they are grown. From a forest-surrounded mountainside vineyard overlooking the Russian River, this wine expresses a rather ‘Darth Vader’ side of the variety. I consider our Bliss Syrahs of the past and the recently released Russian River Valley bottling more like ‘Jedi’ versions. Black pepper, savory notes, earthy, and mysterious, the Timbervine Syrah is more from the earth than the sky, taking hours to ‘open up’ fully. It is a ‘big’ wine without being hot, syrupy or sweet at all. I think its brooding, savory core allows it to go well with things such as game and mushrooms that one would find in the nearby forests.
Judi Scherrer –
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar – May 2010
Glass-staining purple. blackberry, licorice, woodsmoke and wild herbs on the nose. A sweet, savory and exotic fruit bomb in the mouth, with sexy flavors of mulberry, singed-plum,violet and licorice. Finishes with strong sappy thrust and lingering spice and floral notes. this improves considerably with aeration and is already showing plenty of complexity. 91 points. Josh Raynolds