2009 Aldrich Browne Mariah Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Syrah
Mission Codename: Honoring the Past
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Respond to reports that Aldrich Browne is has crafted an extraordinary Single Vineyard Syrah from the Mednocino Ridge Appellation. If the wine is as good as the rumors suggest, procure an ample allotment for our Syrah-loving Operatives.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Aldrich Borwne
Wine Subject: 2006 Mariah Vineyard Syrah
Winemaker: Boela Gerber
Backgrounder: Today’s is made by award-winning South African winemaker, Boela Gerber. For more than a decade, Boela has headed winemaking for South African wine powerhouse, Groot Constantia, one of the nations most prestigious wineries. When he’s not in South Africa, he makes small batches of premium California wines with his partners, under their Aldrich Browne wine label. Their specialty is Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Mendocino Ridge AVA, located along Coastal Mendocino County, to the north of Sonoma County, where the grapes for this delicious Syrah were grown. The actual AVA is centered between Hopland and Ukiah in the southern third of the county and are heavily influenced by the climate which is regulated by the mountain ridges that surround the upper Russian River. The deep alluvial and gravelly loam soils also contribute to the flavor profile of the grapes grown in the region. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are the primary grapes grown here, but Syrah thrives in small, cool-climate pockets along the coast.
The popularity of Syrah is undeniable. Big and bold in flavor and texture, it packs a concentrated punch of flavor that many people love. This Rhone varietal, although many believe that the grape originated in the Persia region, is 100% French in lineage. The Syrah grape is directly descendant from the Monduese Blanche and Dureza varietals and is grown worldwide with great success. Today’s delightful Syrah is a bold and balanced delight with deep flavors, dark aromatics and a voluptuous mouth feel
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark burgundy, with a clear but darker heart. Color is evenly concentrated, from core to rim, where a thin ring of magenta runs a circle around the glass. After spinning the wine, tall, thin, wine-colored tears move very slowly downward.
Smell – Lush and ripe, with blackberry, warm spiced plum and bramble leap from the glass. After spinning the wine for a while, it really comes alive, introducing follow-on aromas of dried meats, brown spice, dried violets, leather and cigar box.
Feel – Light and soft on initial entry, with a feminine feel that gradually expands to become more full, plush and complex. Integrated tannins and bright acids play together in perfect harmony, giving the wine greater complexity and texture.
Taste – Dark mixed berries mingle with earthy dark dried flower petals. Primary flavors include young blackberry, black cherry, plum, and cassis. As the wine opens up – after some hearty swirling – it reveals flavors of leather, dried meats, black pepper and dusty bramble.
Finish – Very long, with dark, lingering berry fruit that slowly yields to the darker flavors of dried meats and leather, along with the more earthen flavors of bramble and spice.
Conclusion – Today’s delicious Syrah delivers the best that Old World and New World have to offer, where the complex, earthen characteristics of Old mingle with dark, flavorful, New World fruit. Winemaker, Boela Gerber, brings his lifelong love of wine to bear on today’s delicious 2009 Mariah Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Syrah. The wine, which is a little shy on first pouring, really opens up and its fruit, texture and flavors really come to life. A balanced wine with plenty of complexity, this medium-acidity wine is an obvious companion for a great meal. Pair this wine with a savory pork loin or tangy ribs. Drinking very well now, we believe that this wine will continue to progress for the next several years.
Mission Report:
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the VINEYARD can be seen in thissatellite photo.