2017 Alder Springs Syrah

91 Points - James Suckling

Alder Springs Vineyards encompasses 150 acres of the some of the most pristine vineyard land in the northern most part of Mendocino County.  This deep Syrah was grown on the Spirit Rock portion of the vineyard at over 2700 ft. of elevation.  The cool evening temperatures and warm days allowed the 383 Syrah clone to maintain the dark anise flavors as well as a dose of white pepper. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if Alder Spring doesn’t mean beautiful in a foreign language. Once again, we fermented 50% whole cluster but did not have access to the or normal 4% viognier.Thus the 2017 is a tightly focused, anise, and flora driven syrah. In its youth the tannis will show, but as it ages and relaxes, this wine will blossom into one of the more complex Syrahs you will find.

Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino AVA
14.1% alcohol by volume. 
70 cases made.