West Coast Syrah Spotlight - $350 Hors Catégorie, Colgin, Alma Rosa, Jonata!

The 2020 Qupé Bien Nacido Hillside Estate Syrah is deeply colored and rich without feeling heavy. Blueberry, cola and black pepper lead into toasty mocha notes from barrel fermentation, while moderate alcohol and balanced structure support a long life in the cellar. It is made from 100% Syrah grown in Bien Nacido Vineyard's Z Block.

The 2022 Inspiration Vineyards Syrah comes from Larry Peter's vineyard in the cool Petaluma Gap. Concentrated blackberry and dried-fruit flavors give it depth, while its Northern Rhône inspiration keeps the wine focused and savory. The unfiltered, 13.9% alcohol bottling was limited to just 50 cases.

Sculpterra Syrah layers blackberry, plum, violet and cracked pepper with savory spice, fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins.

93pt - Wine Enthusiast. Drive Wines Syrah layers cherry, blackberry and plum with violet, cracked pepper, cured meat and olive over silky tannins and a smoky finish.

The 2021 Carr Syrah comes from Kærskov Vineyard in the Los Olivos District of Santa Barbara County. Crushed blackberry, blueberry, cherry, vanilla bean and white pepper fill a medium-to-full-bodied palate, with soft, velvety tannins and measured oak from 20 months in one-year-old French barrels.

Vivid red and black fruit meet anise and black olive in this refined cool-climate Sonoma Syrah. Pinot Noir-like precision keeps the palate focused, balancing savory detail with graceful freshness and length on the finish.

94pt - Vinous. Muddled berry, menthol, mocha and lavender lead into a smooth, luscious palate that stays light on its feet. Fine graphite tannins and a spark of brightness carry the silky, red-fruited finish.

Awarded 94 points by Vinous. The 2022 Jolie-Laide Hawks Butte Vineyard Syrah is savory and intense, with dark red fruit, iron, incense, white pepper and dried rose. Fermentation with 100% whole clusters adds aromatic lift and structure, while 14 months in neutral French oak preserves the wine's freshness and site character.

Wild blueberries, cocoa powder and vanilla pastry cream meet subtleties of smoked meat and spiced black plum. Deeply colored and richly textured, this Edna Valley Syrah delivers layered fruit and savory complexity.

Awarded 93 points by Wine Spectator. The 2021 Dutton Estate Cherry Ridge Vineyard Syrah joins a New World nose with an Old World palate. Cherry, plum, violet, black pepper and bacon lead into a full-bodied wine with fresh acidity and moderately firm tannins, balancing ripe fruit with savory depth.

Blackberry, roasted herbs, pepper and violets lead this richly textured Bennett Valley Syrah. Full-bodied yet balanced, it pairs polished tannins with a seamless, silky mid-palate and a long, savory finish of striking purity.

The 2017 Judd's Hill Reserve Syrah is a small-lot Napa Valley bottling from a family winery known for concentrated, fruit-driven wines with balanced, food-friendly structure. Available profiles for the Reserve Syrah point toward ripe red fruit, black pepper, oak and vanilla over firm tannins.

93pt - Wine Enthusiast. Blueberry, elderberry and violet aromas introduce a generous palate of acai and black pepper. The Coastview site’s mountain intensity meets supple fruit in a bold, refined and savory Syrah.

98pt - Vinous. Crushed rose petal, mint, lavender and dried herbs soar from the glass. Vibrant, deep and remarkably pure, this whole-cluster Sonoma Syrah combines intense fruit with ripe tannins, energy and lift.

Awarded 96 points by Wine Enthusiast. The 2022 Alma Rosa El Jabali Syrah captures cool-climate power with blackberry, coffee cream and charred meat. Firm tannins frame dark fruit, sagebrush, peppercorn and coffee bean, while a gamy note extends the savory finish. The result is concentrated yet precise, with ample structure for the cellar.

97pt - Wine Enthusiast. Syrah offers blackberry, plum and roasted meat with crushed rock, tobacco and violet. Graphite, cocoa and fine tannins shape a powerful, mineral finish.

Awarded 96 points by International Wine Review. The 2019 Reynvaan In The Hills Syrah, co-fermented with 6% Viognier, opens with black raspberry, cracked black pepper, pencil shaving and dried violet. Polished and refined, it balances medium-plus acidity and measured tannins with layers of blue and black fruit.

99pt - Jeb Dunnuck. Polished and perfumed, this Syrah balances serious power with silky fruit and seductive structure. Its poised, muscular palate remains open enough to enjoy now, yet carries the depth to evolve beautifully.

100pt - Jeb Dunnuck. Bacon fat, spring flowers, blue fruit, barbecued meat and incense create a profound aromatic display. Massive yet weightless, this full-bodied Syrah is thrillingly pure, seamless and elegant.

98+pt - Jeb Dunnuck. Smoked blackcurrant, blueberry, cured meat, shiitake, violet and ground pepper define this singular Syrah. Layered and pure, it pairs gorgeous tannins with flawless balance and a deeply savory finish.