“The Viognier is crisp and juicy with great acidity, and the Syrah has all the cold-climate spiciness you want in Syrah.” – Vinography

Imagine discovering icons like Guigal, Chapoutier, Jamet, or Thierry Allemand before their top bottlings soared past $500 — and saving almost 50% in the process?!

As dedicated Wine Spies, our imperative is to uncover these clandestine treasures before they hit the mainstream, to share them with you, our Operatives.

Enter the Singer 2021 Baker Lane Estate Syrah – a Northern Rhône-inspired wine from the former wine director of Chez Panisse. It’s a wine most professionals and critics haven’t yet discovered, making it the ultimate secret weapon in our arsenal. When we first uncorked it at HQ, we couldn’t believe what we were tasting: profound black fruit layered with black and pink peppercorn, exotic spices, wild herbs, all wrapped in lush tannins and driven by an invigorating freshness. We knew right away – it’s a wine with the potential to age beautifully for a decade or more!

Their other wines, a Viognier and the Fleur de C Syrah here in the Store for the day were knockouts, too!

Were we in Northern Rhône? NO! We were thirty minutes away. We immediately hit the road – we had to know more!!! You can watch the video on Instagram here if you want to learn more about that mission.

What we discovered was a five-and-a-half-acre vineyard tucked into the Western hills of Sebastopol, hidden behind a residential neighborhood. Stewarded by a true Renaissance man – painter, restaurateur, importer, and farmer – Stephen Singer is truly among the top 0.1% of wine professionals. Encouraged by his first wife, chef Alice Waters, he founded the Singer & Foy Wines shop in 1983 in San Francisco. He also was with Chez Panisse - yes, that institution teaching America how to eat better - for 15 years he was a Board Member and wine director, contributing early on to its pioneering role in the green revolution. He went on to open Table 29, César, and other restaurants in the Bay Area while traveling the world, continuing to learn about the best wines from the best winemakers.

Over twenty years ago, he purchased an old apple orchard and planted it to vine, naming it Baker Lane Estate. First turned on to the Northern Rhône by importer Kermit Lynch, inspired by the greats, he discovered in the Sonoma Coast a site where Syrah would similarly struggle, developing intensely flavorful and firmly textured fruit for the effort. Fruit that is also a source for notable producers like Scribe and Arnot Roberts.

He brought in expert viticulturist and winemaker Greg Adams, whom you may recognize from his time with Michael Silacci (of Opus One) and Steve Kistler. Together, each bottle they craft reflects a deep understanding of the terroir, emphasizing fruit that is allowed to express its full virtuosity.

As he poured these beauties for us in the kitchen of his mid-century modern farmhouse, surrounded by the geometric forms and saturated hues of his paintings, he confessed he thought of his Syrah as Gina Lollobrigida of wine! Every bit as dark, sultry, seductive, and classy as the Italian actress, we had to agree.

We were overcome with the same sense we had at HQ - How do more people not know about this wine?!

Today, for less than the price of a great steak!

Dear Operative, don’t miss your chance - pick up this Syrah and check out their two other wines in the Store while they last. Share this intoxicating secret with the world! Because true treasures are meant to be discovered.