2014 Piedrasassi, Syrah, Rim Rock Vineyard, Arroyo Grande Valley.
Sashi Moorman’s Piedrasassi Rim Rock Syrah is an American Cornas, it’s a cool climate style and earthy/spice wine with amazing depth and excitement! I love these Piedrasassi wines by Moorman, they are bursting with energy and layers of detail with whole cluster/stemmy character, especially this 2014 Rim Rock in it’s unique COS shape squat bottle. In the thrilling world of California Syrah there is a lot to be celebrating with amazing wines coming out, with Rhone Ranger pioneers, post Rangers and new generation producers all killing it with Syrah, with Alban, Randall Grahm’s Bonny Doon, Sine Qua Non, Peay Vineyards, Pax, Big Basin, Stolpman, Samsara and Jason Drew’s Drew Family being some of the best, along with Piedrasassi. The 2014 Rim Rock by Piedrasassi starts with fresh cracked peppercorns, camphor and violets as well as cassis and leads to a medium/full palate of black plum, boysenberry, blueberry and kirsch along with pepper, lavender/sage, black licorice, dusty cinnamon, olive tapenade, cedar and mineral notes. Filling out with air this nervy and racy Syrah comes in at a well balanced 13% and escapes any woody influence, but gaining pure fruit density and a mole richness and while gripping it has silken tannin and pleasing mouthfeel. Excellent form and length with plenty of promise for even further evolution, this Piedrasassi is a stunningly rewarding Syrah with many similarities to the sexy/earthy offerings from Allemand and or Clape! Look for the Piedrasassi wines, in particular this one, but also the two basic cuvees, PS and Santa Barbara, plus the Bien Nacido Syrah, as well as the brilliant Harrison Clarke Vineyard which is a 50% blend of Mourvedre and Syrah, they are all awesome and will drink well for 5 to 10 years with ease.
($65 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive
