Colgin - IX Estate Syrah 2013

DUNNUCK: "The 2013 Syrah IX Estate is probably my favorite Syrah from northern California, ever. Offering a heavenly bouquet of crème de cassis, blueberries, graphite, pepper, and spring flowers, it has that rare mix of concentration and richness paired with incredible purity, elegance, and class. With full-bodied richness, a fresh, vibrant, yet super-concentrated style, and building structure, give bottles another 2-3 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following two decades."

WINEADVOCATE: "The 2013 Syrah IX Estate may turn out to be better. It’s not as complex from a nuanced standpoint as the 2012, but it has possibly greater intensity than its sibling. Its blackberry fruit, charcoal, acacia flowers, grilled meats and beef tartare notes are all beautifully presented in a pure, succulent, opulent style. This is amazing sTuff, and a great example of a singular style of Syrah from Napa Valley. Drink now-2028."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Amazing aromas of cracked black pepper, smoked meat and blueberries. Blue slate. Full body, iodine, spice, crushed black fruit, and black pepper. Polished and velvety. Glorious. Why wait to drink this? Yet it has a bright future in the bottle."

WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This is clearly the benchmark wine for what can be done with Syrah in Northern California. This is stunning in every sense of the word. Produced from perfectly ripe fruit, it’s like walking through the farmers market with its cornucopia dark red berries and blue fruit with an intriguing note of citrus and fresh herbs in the background. The wine is concentrated, opulent and jacked up with layers of sweet, fat, luscious, juicy, intense, peppery berries that remain with you from start to finish."

ANTONIO GALLONI: "Saturated deep ruby. Brooding, primary aromas of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, violet and licorice. Wonderfully tactile and chewy, showing more definition and detail today than the 2012 version in spite of its extreme youthfulness. Succulent purple fruit and spice flavors are complicated by a brisket-like meaty element I also found in the 2007 bottling at this tasting. At once bright and thick, this utterly seamless Syrah finishes with substantial dusty tannins and outstanding length."

WINESPECTATOR: "Deep and powerfully complex, with an enticingly supple texture. Aromas of blueberry, chunky chocolate and smoky herb combine with layered flavors of huckleberry, cracked pepper and licorice, lingering toward big but plush tannins. Drink now through 2028. 480 cases made."