One More Syrah Saturday!

Not sure for how much longer we can keep finding these gems… cause the Robb Report is right. “California’s take on the Northern Rhône’s noble red deserves its own devoted fan base.” Therefore, we’ve locked down some insane Syrah deals and decided to spotlight them on Saturdays until we can’t. There are a lot of good buys out there for Syrah these days, but VERY FEW outstanding ones, as in… “gorgeous and distinctive wines that will appeal to those who appreciate energy and vibrancy” per Vinous.

There are wineries and wines we yearn to put in front of you. This is one of them.

Our second-ever Halcon offering… with Pax! AND Baron!

Three recent Antonio Galloni’s Vinous quotes might help explain our excitement: “Pax Mahle is one of the most thoughtful, articulate winemakers… Marine Layer is one of the most fascinating new projects.”

“Pax fans will also want to check out the new Halcon Estate, which Mahle purchased with Baron Ziegler of Marine Layer in 2021.”

The results are simply magical, evident by the 95–96-point reviews. Exactly what we expect from two veterans with a long history of building much-loved brands like Wind Gap and Banshee. That’s the good news. But there’s a touch of bad as well: they make VERY LITTLE wine.

And what’s in our glasses is a testament to pushing Syrah to the maximum in complexity and length. It showcases what a great Hermitage would, big, bold red, black, and purple fruits with dust, game, meat, and all the spices you’d find in a top chef’s arsenal. Telltale olives, black and green, along with minerals, crushed spring blossoms, and exotic mushrooms, all will fill the glass, overflowing with character.

As San Francisco Chronicle wrote “Halcon has always been a wine nerd’s secret… Maybe it was because the wines would often sell out, thanks to word of mouth before they ever hit the shelf.”

Not today, and not anymore, baby! Our shelves may be virtual, but this actually will sell out fast.

96 Points – James Suckling “Aromas of blood plums, violets, licorice, spices and dried herbs. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with a generous mouthfeel framed by finely extracted tannins and bright acidity. There’s tension to the wine and persistent purity of fruit in the finish. California’s nod to the northern Rhône at the highest level. 100% whole-cluster fermentation. Drink or hold.”

95+ Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “Pax Mahle, proprietor of Pax Wines, and Baron Ziegler, founder of Marine Layer Wines and CEO of importer Valkyrie Selections, purchased the Halcon Estate in 2021, and this small lineup represents the first release under their ownership. Located in the Yorkville Highlands appellation of Mendocino County, Halcon was originally planted in 2005. At 2,500 feet of elevation, above the fog yet subjected to coastal winds, it’s one of the highest elevation vineyards in California. Rare mica-schist, shale and quartz soils moderate yields and invite comparisons to the Northern Rhône. Although the property encompasses 280 acres, only 15 are currently planted, mostly to Syrah and smaller portions of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier. In 2021, a small amount of white wine was made but, ‘Eventually the vineyard will just be 100% Syrah,’ Mahle says. ‘One estate, one wine. The idea is to make the best wine in California. There’s not a lot of Syrah planted in California quite like this.’ The long, cool growing season in 2021 resulted in age-worthy structures and tempered ripeness, and the three wines included in this lineup will be long lived in the cellar. The 2021 Syrah Estate has detailed aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, green olive, white pepper, lilac and savory undertones. The full-bodied palate features layered flavors ranging from dark fruit to coffee and spice. It’s structured by powdery tannins and bright acidity and has a long, polished finish. Drink 2025-2040.”