We're thrilled to introduce something truly special—the 2019 McPherson Syrah from the legendary Rutherford AVA in Napa Valley. For those of us who love bold, structured reds with elegance and depth, this is our red wine for summer!
2019 was a phenomenal vintage across Napa Valley. A cooler, steady growing season gave the grapes time to develop full phenolic ripeness without rushing—think balance, freshness, and vivid varietal expression. This vintage has already been praised for its aging potential and finesse.
And we’re talking Syrah—a grape known for its deep color, peppery spice, and smoky richness. It's famously grown in the Rhône Valley and Australia’s Barossa, but this syrah is truly a needle in the haystack wine from Rutherford! ‘Rutherford Dust’ is a legend in the Napa world. The unique soil composition is all there: a blend of gravel, sand, and volcanic loam that gives red wines a signature texture that heaven in the glass. The tannins become ultra-fine and cocoa-dusty, giving a plush, velvety mouthfeel that Syrah absolutely thrives on. At first pour, you see a deep garnet color with a violet rim—lush and inky, almost opaque.
On the nose, it’s bursting with black plum, crushed blackberry, and hints of smoked meat, cracked pepper, and a subtle floral lift—lavender and dried violets. There’s a whisper of sweet oak and baking spice from it's 18 months in new French oak barrels.
The entry on the palate is silky and rich, with an immediate hit of ripe black cherry and mulberry. There’s a savory edge too—think black olive tapenade and charcuterie. Mid-palate is where Rutherford really struts its stuff. The tannins are seamless, dusty, and fine-grained, giving structure without harshness. A core of dark chocolate, espresso, and cracked pepper dances with smoky oak. And the finish is divine, long and layered. You get a slow fade of blueberry compote, violet, and that cocoa-powder tannin signature. A touch of mineral salinity lingers, begging for another sip.
And to elevate the beautiful flavors even more? Food. This Syrah is a dream with grilled lamb chops, short ribs, or a mushroom risotto with black truffle oil. It also stands up beautifully to spiced dishes—like Moroccan tagine—or anything with smoked paprika, rosemary, or thyme.
While it’s drinking beautifully now with a decant—say, 30 to 60 minutes—it’s got the bones to cellar. It's peak window from 2027 to 2034, but it could easily go beyond, especially if you love those tertiary notes that come with age—leather, tobacco, and forest floor. Patience will be rewarded.
