Producer: Rhys Vineyards 
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California 
Varietal: Syrah  
Year: 2014  

Wine Advocate, 95 Points 

"Rhys' 2013 Syrah Horseshoe Ranch Vineyard is a downright peppery, gamey, olive and bloody meat-scented Syrah that offers more than a touch of Cornas-like character.  Medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and balanced, with ripe tannin and a big finish, give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar and drink over the following decade." 

Vinous, 95 Points 

"One of the highlights in this range, the 2013 Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard is superb. A host of cool-climate Syrah aromatics make a strong first impression. Black pepper, game, smoke, tobacco, licorice, black olives, lavender and spices are all beautifully delineated in the glass. The expression of fruit is pure California in its radiance and overall depth. Complete and impeccably balanced, the 2013 Horseshoe Syrah has it all." 

John Gilman, 94 Points 

"The 2013 Syrah from the Horseshoe Vineyard is quite ripe for this varietal from the Rhys team, coming in at 13.5% alcohol, but the wine is all about precision and mineral drive and shows no signs of blowsiness on either the nose or palate. The superb bouquet jumps from the glass in a ripe and complex mix of cassis, black raspberries, woodsmoke, a touch of grilled meats, dark soil tones, chocolate, pepper and an exotic topnote of dried eucalyptus. On the palate the wine is deep, pure and complex, with its full-bodied format absolutely perfectly balanced, with a fine core of fruit, ripe, chewy tannins and simply outstanding length and grip." 

Alcohol: 13.5% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.