Been wanting to try my two latest Syrahs from Drew, so cracked last night:
1. Drew Syrah PerliVnyd/MendoRidge (13.8%; 23 yr old vnyd farmed by SteveAlden; 50% whole-cluster; 14 mo. in neutral Fr.oak; Y=2.8 tons/acre; Drk: 2020-2030: JD) 2018: Very dark/near black color; very strong blackberry/Syrah/very spicy/bit floral rather c-c/black pepper some w-c/peppery/Rhonish some toasty/Fr.oak some complex lovely nose; some tart/tangy very strong blackberry/Syrah/spicy some peppery/w-c/c-c some toasty/Fr.oak fairly structured bit complex flavor w/ modest ripe tannins; very long/lingering fairly tart/tangy strong blackberry/Syrah/spicy some w-c/peppery/Rhonish fairly Fr.oak/toasty bit complex finish w/ modest grippy tannins; a bit more floral & high-toned than the Valenti; lovely Syrah. $48.00
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2. Drew Syrah ValentiRanch/MendoRidge (13.0%; 5% co-frmtd Viognier; 100% whole-cluster; 18 mo. in neutral Fr.oak; Chave & Clone 1 clones; Drk: 2021-2032: JD) 2019: Very dark/near black color; some dusty/OV/earthy some w-c/peppery/Rhonish strong blackberry/Syrah/blueberry light toasty/Fr.oak more subtle less complex bit less perfumed nose; lightly tart/tangy bit richer/lusher/extracted strong blackberry/blueberry/Syrah/bit spicy some dusty/OV/earthy lighter w-c/peppery bit more rustic lighter toasty/Fr.oak bit Rhonish/StJoseph-like bit complex flavor w/ light chewey tannins; very long/lingering some w-c/Rhonish/peppery strong blackberry/blueberry/Syrah light toasty/Fr.oak bit earthy/dusty/OV bit complex finish w/ light tannins; could use a bit more age; not as aromatic but more structure & depth & smoother & less tannic than the Perli; an absolutely delicious Syrah. $50.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. These are the two vnyds that Jason&Molly Drew source their Syrah from. Over the yrs, I've not developed a preference for one over the other. They both seem pretty similiar in character.
I continue to remain on the Drew mailing list. Their Syrah is by far my favorite wine of theirs. It shows some cold-climate character, but not as distinctive as Stolo/Peay/Carneros/Failla. And then tend to be a bit more rustic than most c-c Syrahs. I also like their Pinots, but don't find them all that distinctive, one from the other. But I'll probably remain on their list. I particularly like their Viognier & Albarino, but made in rather small quantities.
Tom