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Pax Wine Cellars, Syrah Sonoma Hillsides, 2018

Red Wine from California, United States
$69.99
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Pax Mahle makes cool-climate Sonoma Syrah in an unabashedly old-world style, full of pepper, earth and savory complexity, and Sonoma Hillsides is where that gets most serious. The fruit comes from organically, sustainably or biodynamically farmed hillside sites - for this bottling principally Castelli-Knight Ranch, Griffins Lair and Nellessen - where slope and the coastal wind gaps keep the grapes lean and the tannins fine, adding the structure and tarry, mineral depth that define the cuvee. Sonoma Hillsides is fermented 100 percent whole-cluster, the clusters gently crushed by foot with some blocks going carbonic, and the components are married early in a large concrete tank that breathes more than steel and less than oak. The reference point is St-Joseph rather than anywhere in California. Eight years on, the 2018 is in a generous place: give it a good decant now, or keep going.

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  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
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  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

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Antonio Galloni

96 points

"The 2018 Syrah Sonoma-Hillsides is gorgeous. Inky dark fruit, spice, licorice and dried herbs all flesh out with a bit of coaxing. At this stage, the 2018 is remarkably primary, but there is tremendous intensity and richness waiting to emerge more fully. Although the 2018 doesn't quite have the aromatic breadth and layers of the 2016, it is a superb, vivid wine that Pax fans will want to own. The Sonoma-Hillsides is a blend of fruit from Castelli-Knight Ranch, Griffins Lair and Nellessen. The grapes are crushed by foot, using 100% whole clusters, and undergo carbonic maceration, an approach that works so well with this fruit. Aging is done in concrete." —Antonio Galloni

Decanter

97 points

"A blend of Castelli-Knight, Walker Vine Hill and Griffin’s Lair vineyards. An explosive nose of cracked pepper, roasted meat, tree sap and plum sauce. The palate is perfectly balanced between generous ripe fruits, lively acidity and soft but present tannins. Long and multifaceted on the finish, mixing floral freshness with gamey flavours. A truly fantastic wine!"

More about Pax Wine Cellars

Cult Syrah from a self-taught winemaker. Pax Mahle founded Pax Wines in Sebastopol in 2000 after sourcing wines for Dean & DeLuca opened his eyes to what single vineyards could mean. Now he's the quiet king of Sonoma Syrah: foot-crushed, ambient-fermented, zero additives, sourced from organic and sustainable farms. The wines taste of place, not winemaker ego.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Syrah

  • Vintage

    2018

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Organic

  • Style

    Rich

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Full Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

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Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Braised lamb shanks, grilled ribeye with cracked pepper, duck with olives, or wild mushroom pasta.

Tasting Profile

Dark plum and blackberry with black olive, cracked pepper, tar and wet stone. Medium to full-bodied and silky rather than heavy, with fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a long savory finish.

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