Cherry Camp Syrah, Sonoma Coast, USA

點(diǎn)擊次數(shù)：2981

A blockbuster for both complexity and intensity, the opaque purple-colored 2008 Syrah Cherry Camp comes from a vineyard that was originally a cherry orchard. It exhibits an incredibly floral-scented nose along with beautiful kirsch, blackberry, black currant, camphor, forest floor and licorice characteristics, supple tannins, an exuberant, opulent mouthfeel and a full-bodied finish. This beauty comes from a cool vineyard sitting on top of a ridge overlooking the Sonoma Coast's Freestone Valley. Drink it over the next decade. Proprietor Eric Sussman seems to go from strength to strength at this small boutique winery. One of the buzz words in the wine world is -natural- winemaking, which has no real definition and is often shamelessly used to promote a certain style of wine. Yet Radio-Coteau is a great example of 'natural winemaking' native indigenous fermentations, incredibly low usage of SO2 and biodynamically farmed vineyards. Then add the fact that the wines are bottled without fining or filtration. Of course, human beings/civilization have to intervene in the winemaking process, so until grapes are produced that can detach themselves from the vine and hop, skip and jump to a fermenter and make themselves, we will never have 100% 'natural' wines. Eric Sussman's three 2008 Syrahs have also turned out fabulously well, with all of them living up to the higher end of my barrel tasting range of scores of last year. The 2009 Syrahs are not as intense as their 2008 counterparts. However, given how Eric Sussman's wines often put on weight in the barrel, my current ratings may look conservative a year from now.Tel. (707) 823-2578; Fax (707) 823-2112

The blockbuster 2007 Syrah Cherry Camp boasts an opaque purple color along with a big, sweet kiss of creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, spring flowers, and forest floor. Complex, extravagantly rich, opulent, and flamboyant, this superb Syrah should drink well for 8-10 years. An artisanal winery run with meticulous attention to detail by Eric Sussman, Radio-Coteau continues to follow a fair pricing strategy for its high quality Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Syrahs, and Zinfandels. As a postscript, Eric Sussman told me that his winery was certified biodynamic in 2008. All his fermentations are native (indigenous yeasts from the vineyard), he uses minimal SO2, minimal racking, extended lees contact, and bottles all his wines in house with no fining or filtration. These are all characteristics of the younger generation of conscientious wine producers.Tel. (707) 887-8335; Fax (801) 340-6041