The force is strong with this one! An ultra-boutique project, from some up-and-coming winemaking stars. 91-93 rating from Wine Advocate and dropped under $30 for you. Let’s GO!

That’s what happens when the righthand woman for Thomas Rivers Brown joins forces with the equally capable assistant to Julian Fayard.

Together they make Belharra…

We’ve been trying to get our hands on this ultra-boutique project for some time, and we were willing to pay WHATEVER price just to write this coolest of stories. With just 147 cases of this wine made, we’re lucky to have any.

Will these two become the next young cult winemakers? Time will tell, but they certainly have the skills under their belts.

And we have the price of this bottle under $30. So yea, we’re pretty stoked about it.

What we also didn’t see coming is how ELEGANT (dare we say Pinot-like) these single vineyard Carneros Syrahs can be. Myriad, TOR, and Eric Kent are some of the names you may recognize who frequent this highly sought-after site for the prime fruit adorning their labels. But when you knock on the door of a vineyard owner and say “well, we make wine with Brown and Fayard…” is he gonna say I can’t sell you any fruit?? Don’t think so!

Hauntingly perfumed nose hits you right off the bat, with crushed spring flowers, Tellicherry pepper, wild berries, and gunflint. The palate is akin to a warm blueberry cobbler with a bright burst of black and purple fruits, fig marmalade, and baking spices. There’s a touch of savory bacon fat and leather, and a pleasantly herbal note of freshness on the long finish that takes you right to the upper echelons of the Northern Rhône. Imagine the lovechild of Croze-Hermitage and Carneros. Cool-climate Syrah heaven! Medium-rare lamb chops with mint chutney, anyone?

We warned ya. Very little of this vintage is left, as only 5 barrels were made, also first come…

91-93 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Vibrant ruby purple, the barrel sample of the 2018 Syrah opens with cassis and blueberry preserves with touches of tar, eucalyptus, coffee grounds and lavender. The medium-bodied palate is pure and fresh with loads of perfume, a grainy texture and long finish. 147 cases will be made.”