2013 Skylark Wine Company, Syrah, Lawer Vineyard “Upper Block Two” Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County.
This dark purple/garnet hued and chocolatey 2013 Knights Valley 100% Syrah by Skylark is drinking fabulous right now with concentrated layers of boysenberry, blueberry compote, plum and black cherry fruits, and subtle spices, toasted cedar, anise and delicate violet florals. The tannins are still present, but the mouth feel is velvety and opulent, proving the age worthy quality here with this excellent and pure California Syrah. The background elements include hints of sage, pepper and sultry earthiness, along with a long finish that lingers with creme de cassis, making for a very rewarding wine that would be best with hard cheeses and or meaty dishes. The Skylark single vineyard Syrahs, the winery says, are inspired by the Northern Rhône wines of Côte Rotie and Hermitage. I had put this bottle away for personal use and basically forgot about it for close to 6 years and it was a happy discovery recently, it provided a beautiful surprise and was great with and without food, plus it has the potential to go another 5 to 7 years easily.
Robert Perkins, winemaker and John Lancaster (wine director at Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco) are the men behind the Skylark Wine Company label and are two of the nicest people, and talented, that you could ever meet, who make small batch wines with a core focus on Rhône/Languedoc style offerings. The collection includes Skylark’s tasty Pink Belly Rosé of Grenache, the Carignane based Red Belly and a couple single varietal wines, like this one, and an Alsace inspired Mendocino Pinot Blanc. Perkins, with a long history as a sommelier and wine director with top Bay Area restaurants, has also worked, as he puts it, hands-on in production at several small wineries including Nalle, Scherrer and with late great Sean Thackrey. There’s a couple of extra rare bottlings to look for at Skylark, with their Las Aves Red, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and a mix of Rhône varietals, that has a Priorat like personality, along with a lush old vine Grenache. In recent years, Skylark’s single varietal Syrah has been sourced from the cooler climate Rodgers Creek Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast, where Dave Ramey had got the grapes for his signature Syrah as well. These Skylark Wines are not always visible in the market place and seem to have many a San Francisco following, but available direct from the winery at very reasonable prices.
($30-50 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive