Jeff Runquist “R” Syrah 2020, Paso Robles

Description

Winery notes:  The 2020 vintage has a deep ruby purple color with hues that are bright and youthful. One whiff and it is obvious this is a “New World” Syrah; bursting at the seams with plenty of ripe blackberry and boysenberry aromas. The bouquet features a spicy oak component with clove, cinnamon and allspice along with the sweet rich scents of caramel, chocolate and mocha. There is also a unique smoky nuance that comes from barrels toasted over not an oak but a hickory generated flame. What little terroir there is to this wine’s scent is overwhelmed by the bright succulent dark red and black fruits. On the palate, savory mouth-filling flavors of dark currants, marionberry and plum are balanced with those of hazelnut and toasty oak. The texture of the 2020 vintage is luscious and round; the grape tannins are mature and combined with the tannins extracted from the barrels add a richness to the wine. There is a silky creaminess to the finish that lingers well and provides just a bit of mineral and dust to remind us that this wine was indeed made from Syrah grapes.