2016 DuMol Wild Mountainside Syrah Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA

Region: Russian River Valley, California, USAVarietal: 100% Syrah Tasting Notes: Wild Mountainside Syrah is all about fruit purity—it cascades, expands, envelops, centers, and dominates every aspect of the wine. In the vineyard, a series of warm days immediately prior to picking brought a flush of uniform ripeness to the grapes and this is directly translated into the wine’s fruit profile. The vines produced a moderate crop of small berries filled with wild fruit density and floral, peppery, cool-climate aromatics.The wine itself is inky and concentrated. Blackberry, boysenberry and blueberry fruit characters dominate both aromas and palate. There’s vibrant grapefruit zest, floral lilac, wild thyme and roasted meat characters. The fruit is plush and deep, but there’s always a sense of mountain precision and detail. A savory ferrous note adds intrigue to the full-bodied, chewy palate but the wine remains fine and polished throughout.Critical Acclaim: 95/100 Jeb DunnuckWhile the Chardonn