It feels like spring in my part of the world, Chicago…at last! Wine lovers are finally able to walk the streets without a winter coat, swirl and sip at a cozy table al fresco, and embrace the warmth of the sun and aromas of the season. A few days ago I decided to welcome spring by opening a bottle of Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Napa Valley Syrah, Black Label (sent to me as a sample) and I was delighted with what I found.
Those of you who read my blog regularly know how much I love the wines of Cornerstone Cellars. Craig Camp, Managing Partner, and winemaker, Jeff Keene, consistently produce wines of such quality that it’s difficult not to wax poetic about each wine I taste. And this choice was no exception…it was elegant and balanced with touches of exotic spices that caused me to appreciate each sip…then anticipate another.
In Napa, 2012 is the vintage year everyone loves celebrating. Perfect growing conditions with beautiful sunny, warm days and cool nights allowed for the fruit to ripen and develop stunning aromas and flavors. The Syrah in Cornerstone’s 2012 Black Label are from the REI Soda Canyon Vineyard in the Atlas Peak appellation. Located high in the eastern mountains of Napa Valley, Camp feels that “this is the perfect site for Syrah. This mountainous terrain with rocky well drained soils and high elevation gives a wine that exhibits mountain intensity, purity, focus, a lush, rich tannin structure, and intense minerality.”
But I had to find out for myself. In the glass, the deep, dark, inky color of the Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Napa Valley Syrah, Black Label (sample) was striking and l knew this would be a big, rich, bold wine (I was right). Aromas of earth, raspberries, blueberries, purple flowers, and dried herbs were intense. On the palate, I found exotic spice, lavender notes, licorice, a touch of vanilla, and more rich and juicy berries gingerly woven together with a complexity that I don’t often find in Syrah. Full bodied with integrated tannins, gentle acidity, and balance, the expressive, pure finish lingered…and lingered. Cost is $40 for this limited production vintage which was aged in French Burgundy oak barrels for eighteen months.
Spring into Syrah? Absolutely! Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Napa Valley Syrah, Black Label is just as bold, expressive, and beautiful as any Chicago spring season I’ve seen.
Cheers~ Cindy
