2012 Rhys Syrah Skyline Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (8/7/2018)
First thing is that I really need to wear my glasses when picking out wine. I saw Skyline, and thought I was grabbing a Pinot Noir. Nope, Syrah.
OK, let's have at it. Deep reddish purple color leads into a brooding, rich aromatic of meat, black fruit, herbs, tar, leather and tapenade and probably ten more things that are lurking around the edges. On the palate it needed thirty minutes or so to pull itself together, but after that the fireworks went off. The initial palate impression was soft and rich, but the tannins dug in from the middle and did not let go. The weight was only medium or a bit more, which was a pleasing surprise based on the aromatics. I was expecting something heavier, but the wine stayed nimble and fresh. The meat and olive tones fleshed out over the three hours I followed the wine, supplementing the black/blueberry fruit.
Given the mid-weight level of the wine it made a more adaptable food partner than I was expecting (when I thought I was grabbing a Pinot Noir). Overall it further cemented my impression that Rhys is at their best with Syrah.