'
The 2020 syrah is slightly less ripe than the 2019 -- a little wilder/gamier/more leathery. White pepper is pretty constant. Co-fermentation with viognier skins adds a floral component.
View From The Cellar 9.22.23, 94pts -- "Stewart Johnson makes excellent Syrah from his vineyards in the Petaluma Gap and his coming release from the 2020 vintage is no exception. The wine this year comes in at 13.5 percent alcohol and shows beautiful precision and purity on both the nose and palate. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a complex blend of black raspberries, pepper, smoked meats, black olive, dark soil tones, coffee bean and plenty of upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and peppery, with a lovely core of black fruit, fine soil inflection and grip, ripe, buried tannins and a long, tangy and already impressively complex finish. This is first rate syrah (and an insanely great value!) and all it needs is time in the cellar to soften up its backend tannins properly. 2030-2075."
Decanter 9.20.23, 94pts -- "Kendric Vineyards proprietor Stewart Johnson can be seen most every weekend at the Marin County farmer's market at the Civic Center Plaza, and what a treat for those who venture to his booth. Johnson has poured a lifetime into caretaking his 3.4-ha estate vineyard (part of the Cayetana Ranch) in the Petaluma Gap AVA in northern Marin County, which is incredibly cool and windy. Johnson's Syrah from this site is remarkable. Alluring blackberry and blueberry fruits are framed by savoury charcuterie, white pepper, maple-cured jerky, dried violets, and whispers of cedarwood. Medium to full-bodied with creamy boysenberry fruits and velvety textured tannins glide to a salty-smoky mineral finish. Fans of California Syrah will want to seek out these limited-production wines and his Viogniers."
Wine Enthusiast 1.16.24, 95pts -- "Meaty, funky, flinty aromas lead to vivid gamy, earthy, smoky flavors in this textbook Syrah. Good, integrated tannins brace grilled plums, beef jus and black pepper on the pal ate, while the mouthfeel is balanced and appetizing. Mushrooms are a great target for pairing. Hidden Gem. —J.G. abv: 13.5% Price: $28"
Vinography 12.2.23, 8.5-9 pts -- "Speaking of crunchy reds, I really enjoyed the latest Syrah from Kendric Vineyards, which has a lovely cool-climate quality and a lot of savory character to love, including one of my favorite things to find in Syrah, which is a little salinity ... Very dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of blackberry and a hint of struck match. In the mouth, vaguely salty flavors of blackberry and white pepper mix with black cherry and a hint of dried herbs and licorice. Faint, wispy tannins and excellent acidity. 43% whole-cluster, co-fermented with pressed viognier skins and aged in 14% new French oak for 20 months before being bottled unfiltered. 13.6% alcohol. 170 cases made. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $28."
Vintage | 2020 |
---|---|
Wine Style | Medium Red Wine |
Varietal | Shiraz/Syrah |
Harvest Date | 10.1.20 |
Sugar | 22 brix |
Acid | 5.1g/L TA |
PH | 3.76 |
Aging | Barrel aged 20 months |
Barrel Aging | 14% new French, 20 months |
Fermentation | 45% whole cluster, with pressed viognier skins |
Bottling Date | 8.8.22 |
Alcohol % | 13.6 |
Size | 750 ml |