2013 Gustafson Family Vineyards Syrah Logging Road Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 92 points

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  12/30/2019 - Fractalage Likes this wine: 97 Points

  Quite possibly the best Syrah in USA.
  This is an amazing find.
  When in Healdsburg Gustofson’s a must stop.
  
  I was looking deep into one of my large wine coolers and a whole case of Gustafson was sitting way at the bottom in the back out of sight. I remember being impressed with this Syrah in 2016, but I didn't remember it being this good.
  
  The most amazing aspect of this is its concentration of herbs, specifically anise. It has a black licorice taste mixed with tars that is incredible. I am ogling over this beautifully delicious, black, brooding cuvee. Only 200 cases so I doubt any more is left to be had.
  
  As one of my last wines of 2019 I must vote this the best American Syrah I tasted this year, that’s saying something as I’m somewhat of a Syrah nut. Yes, I vote this better than Baron’s, Brown’s, Tolmach’s, Mahle’s, Guthrie’s and Rhys’. All of which are excellent, but this cuvee just surpasses all that I’ve tasted of them this year.
  
  It's got spices that go on and on. Great mouthfeel with full bodied texture reminding me a bit of Barossa Valley greats.
  It's dry and mouth coating with a cooling minty, tarry, underworld delight that finishes with black licorice.
  
  There are exotic spices in there, so complex that I cannot really distinguish the cardamon, from the Carribean blends to the West African bark blends.
  
  It's in my face bold and big with plenty of subtlety.
  
  I didn't let this bottle rest enough. I could only get half of it out before the sediment smoke started to show. I will leave the half bottle out over night to settle out.
  Based on the tartaric crystals this was unfiltered.
  
  At the price offered, it is the absolute best value for quality. Don’t pass up a case opportunity.
  I can’t wait to hit them up to taste what they’ve got currently.
  
  Their website offers good details on the harvest and vinification:
  https://www.gfvineyard.com/taste/
  $32 for this is a bargain.
  
  The next day, 31 Dec 2019 at 5:52pm.
  Poured from bottle, could only get 1 glass out of 2 before the smoke sediment showed up again.
  Just amazing wine!
  Excellent energy, verve, density, smoke, the oak was coming out more but really well integrated into the tars and concentrated flowers and that anise is something else. It was sweeter today and long. Just excellent.
  
  6:10 the last pour with a bit of the black sediment smoke. It was fine sediment, but you know what, it was f***ing good. It actually made it better. It held more of those herbal dense tar and smoke of anise notes that were just amazing. Goodness, hat's off to Gustafson! I'm a fan!
  (Would love to know the cooperage. My guess is American oak.)
  (I would also like to know the bleed. 10%?)
  (And then the yeast strain.)
  It's all working for these grapes.

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