2014 Bonny Doon Vineyard, Syrah “Cuvée Splendide” California.
Wild and almost feral, the 2014 Cuvee Splendide is a savory and gamey Syrah that opens to reveal a serious stemmy side and lingers with exotic spices, floral tones and snappy herbs, all the while leaning on poached cherry, plum and vine picked berries. Randall Grahm has an amazing set of Syrah offerings right now, they should not be overlooked, especially his Bien Nacido X-Block and this blended site Cuvee Splendide, which was sold exclusively through his wine club and the Area 51, I mean his tasting room in Davenport, just north of Santa Cruz. One of California’s original Rhone Rangers, even gracing the cover of Wine Spectator in a full Lone Ranger costume, including Trigger the horse, Randall is an icon and is making the wines of his career, a visit to the tasting room is a must, besides tasting his gorgeous Le Cigare Volant lineup, do not miss the Cigare whites, which is mandatory, there are a number of tiny production bottlings that are beauties, these include Randall’s crispy cool Picpoul, his stunning, mentioned above, X-Block Syrah, The Clos de Gilroy Grenache, one of the best values in California, and wines like this Cuvee Splendide. The 2014 Cuvee Splendide Syrah sits somewhere between Bonny Doon’s Le Pousseur and the dark and violet laced X-Block and shows an earthy/spicy character with rustic charms and more of a deep red fruit profile with a full body and a lingering garrigue/lavender note as well as a bit of leather that feels similar to Southern Rhone Syrah meets Crozes-Hermitage, such is this wonderful wine’s nod to the old world, while still open knit and textured in pure California fashion. Air brings out the stems, peppery and herbal notes as well as dried roses, kirsch and anise which adds complexity and style here in this truly splendid (sorry) and impressively packed Syrah!
($36 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive

By admin