2023 The Great Places Syrah - Jessica Lauren

So aromatically multidimensional throughout, with a thrumming heart of iron-rich sanguine notes raised by crushed violets, cracked pink peppercorns, blackberry liqueur and salinity. Plush yet precise, showing medium-grained but beautifully structuring tannins through the extended finish. Best after 2027. (09/2025)

Deep purple-hued, the 2023 Syrah Great Places Jessica Lauren Stolpman reveals cassis, plum, and blue fruits intermixed with gamey herbs, pepper, and violets. Fermented with 100% whole clusters in concrete and aged 14 months in neutral French oak puncheons, it’s medium to full-bodied with a hint of carbonic maceration both on the nose and palate, which isn’t particularly appealing. The tannins are firm and grippy, giving it an old school Côte-Rôtie-like edge, and while there’s plenty of length, the overall balance is questionable at this stage. This is clearly an outstanding wine, but I’d like to see how it comes together with time in bottle. Drink 2029-2039. (09/2025)