2022Stoneridge Syrah
2022Stoneridge Syrah
The 2022 Tenor Stoneridge 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.
Each lot was hand-sorted at the winery, with 20% of the whole clusters 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 3 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.
Tasting Notes
This wine displays an ironclad garnet hue with a dense, inky quality. The nose reveals aromas of loamy soil, blackberry pie, tapenade, earthy tobacco, and graphite minerality. On the palate, notes of cocoa nib, prosciutto, wild blueberries, sanguine minerality, mulberries, and savory herbs unfold. The mouthfeel is incredibly soft, despite the wine's richness and density. A wild and seductive finish lingers with anise, violet petals, and black raspberry.
Labeled Appellation
Varietal Composition
100% Syrah
Awards & Accolades
"Despite its visual density, it carries a refined tension and savory expression that nods unmistakably to Northern Rhône Syrah, particularly Cornas. As it evolves, hints of dried violets, tobacco, and graphite emerge, adding depth to the long, savory finish. This is a compelling and cerebral Syrah, built with structure, soul, and clarity of site. Only 69 cases made. Highly recommended."
97 points, Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
"Sourced from this famed site in the Royal Slope AVA, the 2022 Tenor ‘Stoneridge Vineyard’ Syrah is very concentrated in the glass and was given a touch of stem inclusion. Hoisin sauce and soy sauce character combine with roasted duck, bacon fat and stony accents on the nose. The palate is concentrated and fresh with serious texture and good underlying finesse. A knockout wine from 2022, enjoy now and over the next ten years."
97 points, Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com
"A brambly, boldly layered, full-bodied wine, the 2022 Syrah Stoneridge Vineyard exudes dense layers of black licorice, anise, fennel, and brawny black fruit, concentrated and thick on the palate. There’s a feral sauvage aspect to the taste and texture that compels and commands attention. This is a full-throttled, multilayered, seriously intense wine with a solid 10-15 more years of life."
96 points, Virginie Boone, jebdunnuck.com
"This bold and beautiful single-vineyard Syrah is what I call a Jethro Tull wine, as its mouthfeel is thick as a brick. The full-bodied wine launches itself at you with powerful dark raspberry and petrichor aromas, which are accented by wisps of sweet pea flowers and chalkboard dust. Black cherry and black licorice flavors then coat the palate, with a roasted pork shoulder note on the periphery. Pair this wine with salsa dancing and beef empanadas. EDITOR’S CHOICE"
96 points, Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast
"Deep and compact syrah, full of black fruit, together with plum skins, blueberry jam and hints of roasted meat and black licorice. Full-bodied, plush and generous, with velvety tannins wrapping the succulent, meaty core. Lingering, warming finish. Drink or hold."
94 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com