We are excited to announce our first vintage working with Cortese Vineyard in Coombsville, Napa Valley. Dave and Cathy Cortese planted this vineyard to Syrah starting in 1989, on a north-facing slope in a cool part of Coombsville, and the vines have thrived. They produce the kind of aromatic, spicy style of Syrah that we love so much and that is rare in Napa. The color is deep magenta with hints of purple. The aromatic fireworks jump out of the glass with notes of blueberry, jasmine, cracked pepper, spearmint and orange rind. On the palate, the exotic, juicy fruit is intense and flavorful, leading to a long, fruit and spice-filled finish.
There are a scant 57 cases of the 2018 Syrah Scarpa Cortese Vineyard, but it’s well worth the extra effort to track down. Gorgeous blue fruits, bay leaf, bacon fat, and spring flower notes emerge from this dense purple-hued beauty, which is medium to full-bodied and offers incredible purity of fruit, some background oak, and moderate acidity. It’s already hard to resist, and I see no need to delay gratification.
Produced from 100% Syrah coming from Coombsville, the 2018 Syrah Scarpa has a deep garnet-purple color. It comes bounding out of the glass with bold dark fruit scents of baked plums, blackberry preserves and boysenberries with an undercurrent of tar, licorice, bacon and spice box. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with black fruit and savory layers, framed by plush tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long with a fragrant waft of violets coming through.
A pretty nose of blackberries, blackcurrants, green olives, smoke, roasted meat and cloves. Full body with creamy tannins and bright acidity. Vibrant and peppery with wild and savory character. Drink or hold.
