Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Deep, dark, intense and intriguing. with elegance and finesse.
Ratings
95 Pts Wine Advocate The 2015 Syrah Haley Rockpile Vineyard is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with compelling scents of violets, wilted roses, kirsch and baking spices over a core of wild blueberries and black cherries with wafts of lavender, garrigue and wild thyme. Full-bodied, opulent and possessing a myriad of floral and spicy sparks in the black-fruited mouth, it has a beautiful plush texture and wonderful freshness, finishing very long.
92 Pts Jeb Dunnuck The 2015 Syrah Rockpile Vineyard doesn't have the same singular character as the other Syrahs from this site, yet still offers a beautiful, pure, elegant style that's loaded with charm. Black and blue fruits, violets, crushed rocks, and some marine-like salinity all flow to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, elegant Syrah that has present tannin, good acidity, and a great finish. Drink it over the coming decade or more.
90 pts Wine Spectator Built for the cellar, this red has a taut core of firm tannins bound by sturdy black currant, stony mineral and white pepper flavors. Best from 2020 through 2027. –TF
Awards
90 Pts Connoisseurs' Guide A very solid wine with perhaps a bit more structure than out and out concentrated, dramatic fruit at this point, this one is geared towards black plums and dark berries in the nose with light bits of spice and game for varietal accuracy. It is both very full in body and noticeably high in tannin at this point, and regardless of its admirable depth, it is not going to be ready to approach for up to a half decade and more.
Vineyard Notes
At 2010 ft. elevation the 490 clone from these two vineyard blocks add different components, one produces elegance and finesse, the other provides intensity and depth. Together they are truly harmonious. Farming techniques: Trellis Age of vines: 20 years Avg Temp: 50-80 degrees Avg Harvest Date: mid-October
Production Notes
Vinification: 40% whole cluster, de-stemmed, not crushed, open top fermenters, punch downs 5 x day
Winemaker Notes
2014 - 97 Pts; 2013 - 96 Pts, 95 Pts; 2012 - 94 Pts
Other Notes
In the summer of 2000, I started looking for a Syrah vineyard that would speak to me. After a 2 1/2 hour drive and three gates later, I arrived at the 2010 ft. elevation Rockpile Vineyard. Between the subtle slopes, and the rocky soils, I knew this was and is still the place for great Syrah! I feel all wines have personalities. Thus due to the fact that my youngest daughter is a touch stubborn and hard headed, and Rockpile is full of very hard rocks, my daughter Haley's name has adorned this wine from day one.
