2019 Peay Vineyards Les Titans Estate Syrah, Sonoma Coast

The terroir of the West Sonoma Coast, and specifically our estate vineyard in Annapolis, imprints all of our wines in very precise ways. This is abundantly evident in our Syrahs which have a combination of red fruit aromas, high acidity, low alcohol, and meaty, savory notes that you will not find in Syrah from any other region, This singularity is why more people should grow Syrah out here. It is why we should grow more Syrah. But, there is a catch. It is very tricky to grow a variety that has a tendency to be affected by various diseases in a cold, wet place like the West Sonoma Coast. Those of you who have been drinking our Syrah for the past two decades are aware our production amounts vary from year to year and have been meagre at times. The wines are fantastic but we have had to change trellising, nutrient protocols, pruning methods—just about everything—to get the plants to yield a decent-sized crop and to be healthy. Starting this winter, we plan to rip up a few underperforming blocks (not just low yielding but also the least exciting tasting blocks) and will start anew with Syrah cuttings from the blocks that are healthy and make wines we like.

Though we will make very little Syrah for the next few years, what we have is available almost exclusively to our mailing list. The 2019 Les Titans Syrah is not one to miss. It has the classic plum skin, lilac and tarragon nose found in Les Titans with beefsteak and Castelvetrano olive notes adding some ballast. The mouthfeel is not heavy and the fruits are red and fresh, not dark and roasted like in warm climate Syrah. The acidity keeps the flavors lifted and bright. There is a slightly juicy mid-palate with light tannins framing the fruit. If you have the ability and inclination to age wine, I highly recommend checking in periodically to watch it evolve over its long life.