Search Articles
Please Share
Sponsors
Search for Events
Wine of the Day via RSS
Connect
Recent Blog Articles
- Comments and Analysis on the 2012 Barrel Samples at Passport to Cabernet
- On Baseball & Bubbly: Mumm Napa & San Francisco Giants Co-Brand Wine
- Balance - In the Eye of the Beholder
- Tasted—5 Rhone Variety Wines from Clos Solene
- 7 Wine Events for this Weekend, April 26 - 28
- Harlan, Dalla Valle, Bond & Other Highlights of ’13 Taste of Oakville
- The Best White Wines at Sonoma in the City 2013
- 5 Fun Wine Events for this Weekend, April 19 - 21
- California Cabernet Aging Potential - It’s Not About the Years, it’s the Character
- Tips on Buying a Wine Fridge
- The Paso Robles AVA - Too Big to File
- Fine Powder on Mount Veeder
- An "Interview" with Roger Ebert on Wine Criticism
- Enjoy Two Benefit Wine Events on April 20
- Great Wine Events for This Weekend, March 22 - 24 2013
- Buy a Nose
- Site Upgrade
- California Crushed It in 2012
- Zin Pourin' and Food Porn at ZAP Epicuria
- Kelly Fleming Winery: World-Class Cabernet Sauvignon, Timeless Beauty
Recent Wines of the Day
- 2009 Cornerstone Cellars “The Cornerstone” Napa Valley
- 2009 Laetitia Pinot Noir Single Vineyard La Colline Arroyo Grande Valley
- 2010 Lange Twins Chardonnay Estate Grown Clarksburg AVA
- 2012 Borra Vineyards Artist Series Kerner Lodi AVA
- 2010 Wren Hop Pinot Noir “Fire Messenger” Sonoma Coast
- 2011 Lucia Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands
- 2011 Roar Chardonnay Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands
- 2010 Frostwatch Chardonnay Bennett Valley Sonoma County
- 2007 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District Napa Valley
- 2012 Voss Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
- 2012 Vina Robles Roseum Huerhuero Vineyard Paso Robles
- 2008 Hawk and Horse Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Red Hills AVA, Lake County
- 2011 Vina Robles White4
- 2010 Quivira Refuge Sauvignon Blanc
- 2007 Ampelos Delta Grenache
- 2008 Inman Family Thorn Ridge Ranch Pinot Noir
- 2010 DeLoach Estate Pinot Noir
- 2009 V. Sattui Zinfandel Gilsson Vineyard Russian River Valley
- 2009 Trinchero Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Chicken Ranch Vineyard, Rutherford
- 2009 McCay Cellars “Jupiter” Zinfandel
Sponsors
Wine of the Day
2008 Von Holt Syrah Old Lakeville Vineyard Sonoma Coast
- Syrah
- Written by Fred Swan
- Tuesday, 27 March 2012 22:44
The Old Lakeville Vineyard, named for the highway that borders it, is subject to two major cooling influences. Morning fog creeps in from the San Pablo Bay just one mile to the south. In the evening, ocean breezes sweep across the vineyard, coming through the Petaluma Gap and over the bay. The Old Lakeville Vineyard and it’s neighbor across the street, the Griffin’s Lair Vineyard, are well-located for the growing of Syrah with leanings toward that of the Northern Rhone.
In keeping with the wines of that region, the 2008 Von Holt Syrah Old Lakeville is on the savory side. There are aromas of blueberry and blackberry in the ruby-purple wine, but they are the opposite of jammy and easily matched by notes of black pepper, leather, clove and allspice. Wood provides a subtle backdrop. The palate is medium-plus in body and flavor intensity with moderate, integrated tannins. The flavors are less spicy than the bouquet. There are blackberry and black licorice with undertones of dark chocolate. The finish is generous. No decanting is required. Highly Recommended.
2008 Von Holt Syrah Old Lakeville Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Rating: Highly Recommended
Drink: Now through 2016
Bottling Date: August 24, 2010
Closure: Cork
Production: 75 cases
Retail Price: $30.00
Note: When I contacted Von Holt for fact checking, they let me know that the wine is available via the Von Holt online store and offered free shipping on this particular wine to my readers for one week from today. Note that I’m not compensated in any way for wine sales of any sort. Use discount code: NORCALWINE
Winemaker: John FonesBlend: Syrah
Origin: Old Lakeville Vineyard (aka Fredrick Ranch Vineyard), Sonoma Coast
Harvest Date: September 27, 2008
Fermentation: 80% whole cluster with native yeast
Aging: 21 months in French oak barrels, 33% new
Alcohol: 14.3%
I have also reviewed the 2009 Von Holt Pinot Noir Suacci Vineyard.
If you like Rhone wines, don’t miss the upcoming Hospice du Rhone on April 27 & 28. For a taste of HdR, take a look at these articles:
10 Big Wine Events to Look Forward to in Early 2012
Recap of Hospice du Rhone 2011 - Day One
Recap of Hospice du Rhone 2011 - Day Two
The wine above was provided for review.
Follow NorCalWine on Twitter for breaking wine news, information on events and more. Become a fan and join the NorCal Wine community on Facebook. Also check out our comprehensive Northern California winery listings. They are very useful for planning a tasting trip or just getting in touch with a winery.
This article is original to NorCalWine.com. Copyright 2012 NorCal Wine. All rights reserved.