The Flagship
97 pts James Suckling
James Suckling 97 pts
A toasty, robust, full-bodied wine that goes all out for smoke, meat and pepper aromas and rich dark chocolate, blueberry and black currant flavors. Moderate tannins, lots of concentration and deep and complex fruit flavors. A great syrah for California, made by a lifelong Rhône enthusiast. Drink now or hold.
Rockpile is one of the smallest AVAs in the nation, producing ultra-premium hillside fruit. In 1991, Rod and Cathy Park converted a dilapidated former sheep ranch into Rockpile Vineyard.
At 2010-ft. elevation, the vineyard sites are hilly and of course, rocky. Above the fog line, the vineyard's terroir stresses the vines, but the average temperature range from 50 - 80º provides for a wonderful growing season, allowing for full ripening. The soil composition of granite, loam, clay, and quartz gives the fruit a strong mineral component. Altogether, this vineyard yields amazing fruit. Each Rockpile Syrah is truly unique in its depth and profile.
I began working with this sustainably farmed vineyard in 1998 and still love it because I know Syrah panted at high elevations in rocky soils are a match made in heaven.
