American Syrah?

I'm curious, what are you looking for in an American Syrah?

Here's an snippet & link from an article that sparked my interest:

"Most American wineries have been rocked by the recession, but no category has been hit as hard as California Syrah. Sales for the variety have foundered, and many winemakers and Syrah enthusiasts are wondering why."

http://www.zesterdaily.com/drinking/syr ... risis.html

Do you agree that the California Syrah might be going through an identity crisis?

Hi Melissa - welcome to the board!

I have to agree with that assessment. I tend to stay away from buying syrahs I haven't tried or haven't had recommended by someone whose tastes I know are similar to mine. I really don't like the big, blowsy, ultra-ripe style and I hate paying for something I don't like. That said, I really like the ones I like and probably buy more of those than wines from any other single variety.

Melissa welcome, some great folks here!
A recent WS did a story on Syrah, will have to look it up (for what it is worth, grin). Many TNs here if you have time to do a search.Think you have highlighted an interesting article.

I'm curious, what are you looking for in an American Syrah?

Guess I'm not looking for/requiring of my Syrah to be anything specific, Melissa. I'm willing to let the Syrah speak
for itself...to be what the terrior and the winemaker want it to be. The Syrah talks to me...I listen.

Here's an snippet & link from an article that sparked my interest:

"Most American wineries have been rocked by the recession, but no category has been hit as hard as California Syrah. Sales for the variety have foundered, and many winemakers and Syrah enthusiasts are wondering why."

http://www.zesterdaily.com/drinking/syr ... risis.html

Do you agree that the California Syrah might be going through an identity crisis?

Hmmmm....I think the malaise of Calif Syrah is more driven by the economy than anything.
'Tis true that Calif Syrah shows much more diversity than it first did 30 yrs ago. But that's primarily because it being planted
in much more diverse locations than it once was. But I wouldn't attribute its malaise to the diversity in styles.
This is the same old argument that we heard 30 yrs ago w/ respect to Zinfandel. Oy.....they range from light Noveau Zin to heavy Port-style/
LateHrvts Zin. Stop...you're confusing the customer. Driven much be the complaints/whining of the critics of that day. And what did it gice us??
"Food-style" Zins of the early '80's. That pretty much killed the Zin market for almost 10 yrs. God forbid if "Food-Syrah" becomes the mantra
of the day. They can't do that to my beloved Syrah.
Thanks for the link, Melissa. Interesting article. Patrick always writes good/interesting stuff.
Tom

I'm curious, what are you looking for in an American Syrah?

Edmunds St John on the label.

I'm curious, what are you looking for in an American Syrah?

Edmunds St John on the label.

Yes! I recently also tasted two early releases from Lagier-Meredith ('98 and '00 IIRC) that I won't mind seeing on the label.

Give them some time in the bottle (an $18 '03 Stolpman Estate was very tasty last month), don't expect Northern Rhone, accept the differences in style (from Carlisle to Alban) and you won't go far wrong.

Personally I'd stick to Southern France and South America for Syrah, and go rather for Petite Sirah from California. Or, if you want the hedonistic richness side, get a quality Australian. Cali Syrah to me doesn't offer anything that isn't done better elsewhere in the world.

What I'm looking for in American syrah is something similar to the wonderful Northern Rhone wines Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas, but without the horribly inflated price tag. Unfortunately, that's not what I'm finding.

-Paul W.

[David M. Bueker]

What I'm looking for in American syrah is something similar to the wonderful Northern Rhone wines Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas, but without the horribly inflated price tag. Unfortunately, that's not what I'm finding.

Except that Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas are not in the USA, so what you are seeking by definition should not exist. There are some lovely Syrahs (e.g. ESJ, L-M, Radio Coteau, etc.) but to expect them to be Northern Rhone wines is folly.

What I'm looking for in American syrah is something similar to the wonderful Northern Rhone wines Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas, but without the horribly inflated price tag. Unfortunately, that's not what I'm finding.

Except that Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas are not in the USA, so what you are seeking by definition should not exist. There are some lovely Syrahs (e.g. ESJ, L-M, Radio Coteau, etc.) but to expect them to be Northern Rhone wines is folly.

Harumph, David. It could very well exist...given the proper Site. Maybe it's just not been found, yet. There are some exceptional cold-climate Calif Syrahs that show some of that same cracked black
pepper character to sometimes find in C-R. There are any number of Calif Syrahs that show much of that same roasted/espresso/mocha character that you often find in C-R. And then there are plenty
of Calif Syrahs that show that unique expression that only Calif can give Syrah and the NorthernRhone boys cannot...unless they use a lot of new Fr.oak and make it like a LaLa.
Tom

I would call out Peay's cold Sonoma Coast Syrah as pretty well rocking my boat. From Napa, I've consistently enjoyed Haven's Hudson Vineyard Syrah...definitely not a fruit driven wine but very meaty and minerally and savory. Karen Cullen makes some great Syrahs (and her second label, Casaeda, rocks for the price) that are more "Californian" in richness but still delicious.

What I'm looking for in American syrah is something similar to the wonderful Northern Rhone wines Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas, but without the horribly inflated price tag. Unfortunately, that's not what I'm finding.

Except that Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas are not in the USA, so what you are seeking by definition should not exist. There are some lovely Syrahs (e.g. ESJ, L-M, Radio Coteau, etc.) There are any number of Calif Syrahs that show much of that same roasted/espresso/mocha character that you often find in C-R. And then there are plenty
of Calif Syrahs that show that unique expression that only Calif can give Syrah and the NorthernRhone boys cannot...unless they use a lot of new Fr.oak and make it like a LaLa.
Tom

Is that last sentence an accolade or a criticism of CA Syrah.

I'm not looking for a specific style, least of all a carbon-copy of a style from France or Australia.

I am looking for pricing restraint and whilst there may be a local demand for a limited production $100 bottle, I'm not likely to bite on anything that's more than £20 here, unless it has a solid track record and a clearly definable style (that I can decide whether it suits my tastes).

Managed to pick up a bottle of Columbia Winery Syrah (Yakima Valley Red Willow) recently, so after enjoying the restraint of the Otis Cabernet, have reasonably high expectations for this.

IIRC an Ojai syrah a while ago also impressed.

regards

Ian

A couple of years ago, I spent a very enjoyable week tasting my way around Paso Robles which I was told was supposed to be the center of the Rhone renaissance in Cal. By asking for recommendations at the various cellar doors, I think I got to see a number of the top local examples. A number of the wines I found too unapproachable at such a young age despite the enthusiams of the people behind the counter with some really rough tannins over powering the fruit. I understand the economics behind the decision but many of the wineries should have held back their syrah and released them with more age. Nevertheless I did come away with some good memories including Tablas Creek and Saxum which the very friendly owner of the Sow's Ear in Cambria was kind enough to share with me once we got chatting after dinner.

[David M. Bueker]

unless they use a lot of new Fr.oak and make it like a LaLa.

Simplifying the LaLa wines to just the use of new oak is the typical, knee-jerk reaction. I should not even respond to it as it does not deserve a response.

As for the "right site" why can't folks be content with a Syrah that does not taste exactly like some supposed archetype? Consider the idea that California is the ideal place for Syrah, and that the Northern Rhone is a pale imitation. I'm not saying that true, but the image of Syrah was formed by history, not by one site being right and another not.

[Jenise]

You ask two questions, one about American syrah and another more pointed about California syrah. I cannot tell if you consider them to be one and the same, but it's an important distinction to someone who lives in Washington state as I do where a considerable amount of quality syrah is being produced. So, what I hope for in American syrah but find a lot less often than I like is restraint--what I find too much of is higher alcohols. To the extent that California and Washington syrahs typically run 15% and over, I'm typically not buying. The wines of Edmunds St. John that others mention prove it's entirely possible--most producers just aren't choosing to make them this way. The only California syrahs I own at this point are ESJ and Dehlinger.

I'm curious, what are you looking for in an American Syrah?

Edmunds St John on the label.

Amen Dale! Amen.

Except that Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas are not in the USA, so what you are seeking by definition should not exist. There are some lovely Syrahs (e.g. ESJ, L-M, Radio Coteau, etc.) but to expect them to be Northern Rhone wines is folly.

I said something similar to Northern Rhone syrahs. Syrah does very well in California, but the smoky quality one finds in the best Northern Rhones just isn't there. Based on the comments from one winemaker I talked to, it would seem to be because of California winemakers' infatuation with squeaky-clean winemaking.

-Paul W.

Are you people just totally unaware of the syrahs coming out of Eastern Washington and Southern Oregon?

Are you people just totally unaware of the syrahs coming out of Eastern Washington and Southern Oregon?

yes

Are you people just totally unaware of the syrahs coming out of Eastern Washington and Southern Oregon?

yes

I like a man who knows what he doesn't know.

A few I have and recommend:

Anthony Dell, Del Rio Syrah
Cottonwood, Raya Jade
Cana's Feast Bricco Reserve, Willamette Valley
Rockblock, Carpenter Hill
Sejourne
Solena, Del Rio
Tyrus Evan, Del Rio
Viento, Cuvee R

That would be a start.

[David M. Bueker]

Except that Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas are not in the USA, so what you are seeking by definition should not exist. There are some lovely Syrahs (e.g. ESJ, L-M, Radio Coteau, etc.) but to expect them to be Northern Rhone wines is folly.

I said something similar to Northern Rhone syrahs. Syrah does very well in California, but the smoky quality one finds in the best Northern Rhones just isn't there. Based on the comments from one winemaker I talked to, it would seem to be because of California winemakers' infatuation with squeaky-clean winemaking.

-Paul W.

So you are not interested in what California has to offer because they practice good hygiene in the winery? Brett is not terroir.