2017 Vintage Reviews

Erin Brooks of The Wine Advocate

"Here are some more recent releases from Sonoma County—and there's still more to come." Read the article

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Single Vineyard Syrah

Rockpile Vineyard Haley 

93+  Inky in the glass, the 2017 Syrah Haley has bold scents of violet, tar, cassis and dried herbs with touches of menthol, milk chocolate and graphite. The full-bodied palate is dense and rich with a grainy frame and just enough freshness, finishing perfumed. Give it more time in bottle. 308 cases produced. Drink now - 2032.

Domaine des Chirats

92+  The 2017 Syrah Domaine des Chirats ihas touches of tar and scorched earth over cassis, blackberry pie, olive, thyme and violets. Full-bodied and grainy, it has well-tempered, nuanced fruits with good freshness and a long, menthol-laced finish. This still seems youthfully shy and may offer up more with time in bottle. 440 cases produced. Drink now - 2030.

So Serine 

92  Deep ruby-purple, the 2017 Syrah So Serine offers cassis, violets, coffee and Luxardo cherries with notions of menthol and cedar. It's full-bodied and dense with a chewy frame and just enough freshness, finishing with some woody notes. 344 cases produced. Drink now- 2030.

Silver Eagle

92  The 2017 Syrah Silver Eagle Vineyard has an inky color and aromas of cassis with notes of tar, potting soil, dried thyme and floral perfume. The full-bodied palate is powerful and chalky but a bit mute at this stage, with just enough freshness on the finish. Give it more time in bottle. 202 cases were made. Drink now - 2028.

Buffalo Hill

91  Inky purple-black, the 2017 Syrah Buffalo Hill Rockpile Vineyard haas a nose of violets, Luxardo cherries and cassis with nuances of menthol, dried thyme and olive. It's full-bodied with a chalky texture, spicy, broody fruits and just enough freshness on the finish. Give it more time in bottle. 114 cases produced. Drink now - 2028.

Zio Tony Ranch 

91  Deep ruby-purple, the 2017 Syrah Zio Tony Ranch has slowly opening scents of blackberry and black cherry jam, menthol, turned earth, violets and dried sage and thyme. It's full-bodied with well-managed fruits in a chewy texture and with just enough freshness on the finish. 244 cases were made. Drink now - 2030.

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Single Vineyard Rhônes

Sweetwater Springs Petite Sirah

92+  The 2017 Petite Sirah Sweetwater Springs Vineyard has bombastic aromas of lilac, cassis and Luxardo cherries with notes of charcuterie, vanilla, dried thyme and potting soil. The palate is full-bodied and dense with a chewy frame and good juiciness, finishing warm. This may open up with a bit more time in bottle. 257 cases produced. Drink now - 2027.

El Diablo Grenache

92  The 2017 Grenache El Diablo Vineyard is pale to medium ruby and has bright aromas of blood orange, strawberry preserves and baked red cherries accented by dried violets, garrigue, earth and autumn leaves. Light to medium-bodied, it's bright, juicy and perfumed with a soft frame and nuanced finish. 160 cases produced. Drink now - 2027.

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Single Vineyard Zinfandel 

Iron Hill 

93+  Deep ruby, the 2017 Zinfandel Iron Hill Vineyard embodies its title with notes of cast iron and iodine over a core of blackberry and cherry fruit with earthy accents. It's nuanced and concentrated, medium to full-bodied with a fine grain and super juicy, perfumed finish. This is a singular and intriguing Zinfandel. 110 cases were made. Drink now - 2027.

Rossi Ranch

93  Deep ruby, the 2017 Zinfandel Iron Hill Vineyard embodies its title with notes of cast iron and iodine over a core of blackberry and cherry fruit with earthy accents. It's nuanced and concentrated, medium to full-bodied with a fine grain and super juicy, perfumed finish. This is a singular and intriguing Zinfandel. 110 cases were made. Drink now - 2027.

St. Peter’s Church

93  The 2017 Zinfandel St. Peter's Church Vineyard opens with incredibly pure scents of white peaches with notes of garrigue, crushed boysenberries and lavender. Medium-bodied, it's wonderfully layered and lightly chewy with lip-smacking freshness and a long, layered finish. What a gorgeous zinfandel! 248 cases produced. Drink now - 2028.

Sweetwater Springs Isabel

92  The 2017 Zinfandel Sweetwater Springs Isabel is a delicate, Pinot Noir-esque Zinfandel with a medium ruby color. It has a pretty perfume of peaches and tricolored berry fruits with accents of dusty earth and floral perfume. The palate is medium-bodied, rounded, soft and juicy with perfumed, nuanced flavors and a long, layered finish. 356 cases produced.. Drink now - 2026.

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Blends

PureYum 

92  The 2017 PureYum is a blend of 67% Syrah and 33% Grenache from the Rockpile and El Diablo vineyards. It was made with 30% whole cluster and aged 18 months in 100% neutral French oak. Medium ruby, it has seductive aromas of red and black cherries, tobacco leaves, red flowers and graphite. The medium-bodied palate is silky, fresh and mineral-driven, with savory, graphite-laced character and a long finish. 218 cases produced. Drink now - 2026.

Iris Brut Rosé 

91  The 2017 Brut Rosé Iris is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre from the Rossi Ranch vineyard made using the traditional method and disgorged after 23 months. Deep cherry-pink in color, it has vivacious red berry fruits with notes of cherry candy and toast. The palate is full-bodied, energetic and packed with fruit, finishing long and full of flavor. It was made without dosage and its dry, fruity character will allow it to pair with a wide range of cuisines. 263 cases were made. Drink now - 2024.

photo credit: Robert Parker Wine Advocate