Scarline Syrah

2022
Scarline Syrah

This wine displays an intense and saturated purple-black color, like a very dark plum. The nose reveals cassis liqueur, dark berry compote, cardamom pod, roasted herbs, steak juice, scorched earth, and Asian spices. On the palate, damson plum preserve, dried cherries, game meat, juniper berry, and iron unfold. Incredible richness is balanced by fresh acidity and supple, broad tannins. The long finish persists with sun-warmed raspberries, black fig paste, black olives, and cracked pepper.

Buy Now $128

Labeled Appellation

Columbia Valley

Varietal(s)

100% Syrah

Vinification

Stainless Steel Fermentation, Primary lasting about 10-14 days and spending a total of 35+ days on skins. Two Months in 100% New French oak

Alcohol

15.1%

Cases Produced

104

Vintage Notes

The 2022 Tenor Scarline Syrah is a single vineyard wine from the Royal Slope AVA.

The winemaking team worked with our vineyard manager to restrict yields, creating small, concentrated berries. Thoughtful canopy management and intensive irrigation strategies were implemented. Cool fall nights preserved a sense of freshness in the wine while continuing to develop flavor. The fruit was hand-harvested early in the mornings throughout October.

At the winery, each lot was hand sorted with 20% whole clusters being first added to the fermentation tanks. The remaining 80% was destemmed and berry-sorted before being included with the whole cluster fruit. The wine was left on its skins for a full 30+ day extended maceration. After 21 months in 100% new French oak, only 4 barrels were bottled unfined and unfiltered, resulting in a mere 104 cases.

Joseph Phelps was the only clone used in the final blend of this 100% Syrah.

Expert Reviews & Scores

  • Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

    98 / 100

    The structure is bold yet balanced, with grippy, granular tannins providing a firm backbone, and moderate acidity offering just enough lift to carry the density. A vein of saline minerality cuts through the richness, adding dimension and length to the finish. Though immensely expressive now, there's an underlying tension that suggests deeper complexity will unfold with time. Hints of smoked meat, espresso grind, and lavender linger long after the final sip. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.

    Virginie Boonejebdunnuck.com

    97 / 100

    Inky black in color and equally intense on the palate, the 2022 Syrah Scarline Vineyard is grown in a limestone scar that runs through the vineyard planted to a good majority of Joseph Phelps clone. Peppery garrigue fills the rich, full-bodied palate around demure fruit, the wine mineral-driven with tension and texture. Age another 10-15 years.

    Owen Bargreenowenbargreen.com

    96 / 100

    The 2022 ‘Scarline Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this site in the Royal Slope AVA. Hedonistic and heady, this delivers mocha, black currants and Kalamatta olives on the nose alongside dusty soils and tar. The palate is beautifully structured and dense with lovely tension and a glorious core of black fruits. The salty nuances and soft mouthfeel really entice, as this is best consumed now and over the next ten plus years.

  • Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate

    94 / 100

    Matured for 20 months in 100% new French oak, the 2022 Syrah Scarline Vineyard is bursting with savory aromas of iodine, five spice, soy sauce and cassis. The full-bodied palate is just as generous with layers of savory, spicy fruit. It’s structured by powdery tannins and juicy acidity and has a long, iron-laced finish. It will benefit from several years in the cellar. 104 cases were made.

    Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast

    94 / 100

    This black as night Syrah hits all the right hedonism notes with its aromas of boysenberry pie, dark plums, clove and a touch of bacon fat. A delicate mix of lemony acidity and silky tannins help to create a slick and slippery mouthfeel. The flavors gliding along the palate include dried black cherries, cedar, soy sauce and brown sugar. Sheer decadence, in all the right ways. EDITOR’S CHOICE

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