Pax Wines Sonoma Hillsides Syrah 2021

Pax Wines Sonoma Hillsides Syrah is the top Syrah in the range, drawn from cool hillside vineyards in Sonoma County.

Time spent in Raymond Trollat's and Jean Gonon's cellars in Saint-Joseph shaped the idea, and 2016 was the first release. Each year the most compelling Syrah Pax Mahle can find is identified after fermentation, pulled out of wood and blended into one concrete tank; concrete, he explains, gives a dense core of fruit and breathes less than wood, pushing the wine into a reductive state that lets him hold sulphur additions down. Sites vary, but Walker Vine Hill in the Russian River Valley is always the base, a mesoclimate that traps coastal cool, on iconic Goldridge soil. Castelli-Knight Ranch adds high-toned spice, Nellessen nerve and acid, and fog-bound Griffin's Lair coastal depth. Whole clusters throughout, foot-crushed, no new wood.

Black pepper, violet and dark fruit with an olive-and-iodine savouriness, and tannin that is fine but structural. At 12.5 per cent it carries surprising density. Decant and serve at 16 degrees, with lamb, venison or slow-roasted pork shoulder.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.