WTN: Halcon Take Me Away

[David M. Bueker]

• 2019 Halcon Vineyards Syrah Alturas - USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands (5/6/2021)
  Goaded into opening this because of comments regarding another Halcon wine on-line, and I am glad that I have no willpower. There’s a juiciness to the black fruit, but also a restraint, as the fruit never goes super ripe or jammy. White pepper, meat and purple flowers (well, flowers, but I like purple flowers) bring the savory elements, and then on the back end the tannins kick in, and the pepper hangs like a fog rolling in from the sea. I like the balance and depth of this wine for significant cellaring, so I am glad I bought six. Maybe a bottle every two to three years might be about right.

I tasted the '19 Halcon Syrah a couple weeks back, and really liked it, also. I think they've been doing some very fine work, there. I think, too, it's an amazing site.

[David M. Bueker]

Indeed an Edmunds St. John Halcon Vineyard Syrah would be a lovely thing to taste!

Just hoping.

That thought has certainly crossed my mind, David. Considerable obstacles lie that way, but I think about it.

[Jenise]

Have you had Halcon's mourvedre? I'm very interested in the grape and everything I've read about Halcon suggests this is a terrific buy at $26 ea. Ordered six this morning.

[David M. Bueker]

Have you had Halcon's mourvedre? I'm very interested in the grape and everything I've read about Halcon suggests this is a terrific buy at $26 ea. Ordered six this morning.

I had the 2018 last year, and really liked it. I have six of the 2019 in the cellar. Will have one relatively soon.

[Jenise]

The '18's what I've got coming. I realize it's not the current vintage but I'm happier than not to have an extra year of bottle age.

[David M. Bueker]

My note from last year on the 2018:

• 2018 Halcon Vineyards Mourvèdre - USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands (4/11/2020)
  First Halcon wine for me. I liked it a great deal, though it was a bit of a chameleon. A quick sip directly after I opened the bottle showed a cool, sleek, tense wine, reminding me more than a little of some of the Dirty & Rowdy wines. Several hours later I took a full glass, and was drinking a very different wine. There was a distinct richness to the mid-palate that had not been there before. Cool, red fruit, spice and vibrant floral notes were held in place by a firm acid spine, and moderate finishing tannins. Fun to drink on its own, and with enough depth and cut to handle our dinner of Chicken Enchiladas Norteńas.
  
  I left about two glasses worth in the bottle overnight, corked up and kept at cellar temperature. Giving the wine some time to warm up, I poured a small glass to see how it progressed. Surprisingly, I found the wine that I had started with the prior night. More tense and taut than anything else, it still had the red fruit and floral, but on a more racy frame.
  
  Interesting stuff that made me think, and that’s what keeps me coming back.

[Jenise]

Excellent--thanks for re-posting. Another description I read reminded me of my first American mourvedre which was from Joseph Swan. Nothing like Bandol, which is wonderful too, but more feminine and mercurial. Pretty much what you describe here.