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Featured Wines

2009 St Peter's Church Vineyard Zinfandel	2007 Time Capsule
2009 Misc. Stuff	2009 Rockpile Vineyard 'Haley' Syrah
2009 Iron Hill Vineyard Zinfandel	2009 The Impostor
2009 Landy Sweetwater Springs Vineyard Zinfandel	2009 Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel

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Wine Spectator Scores

JCCellars

Syrah Rockpile Haley Rockpile Vineyard 2009

93 points | $60 | 100 cases made | Red

Tight, firm, intense and concentrated, this is slow to unfold but does so with depth, focus and complexity, targeting mineral, dried berry, wild berry, blackberry, underbrush and cedar flavors, with ripe, chewy tannins. Drink now through 2022.—J.L.

Zinfandel Alexander Valley St. Peter’s Church Vineyard 2009

92 points | $45 | 370 cases made | Red

Distinctive and loaded with personality, with wild berry and white pepper aromas and complex, slightly rustic blackberry, smoky licorice and sage flavors that finish with briary tannins. Drink now through 2017.—T.F.

Zinfandel Paso Robles Dusi Vineyard 2009

92 points | $35 | 250 cases made | Red

A complete package, this is ripe and briary, but also complex and focused. Aromas of smoky sage and black cherry lead to lively flavors of blackberry and spicy anise that show a hint of caramel. Drink now through 2017.—T.F.

Misc. Stuff California 2009

94 points | $45 | 252 cases made | Red

Tight, firm and focused, with a riveting mix of pepper and spice, this offers great depth and complexity while remaining light on its feet, with an impressive finish, where the flavors gain a minerally edge. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2020.

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HOME / Napa Syrah

Napa Syrah

Napa Topography

Bound by the Mayacamas Mountains on the west and the Vaca Mountains on the east, Napa Valley is an elongated stretch of land that treads north to south through the iconic countryside of central California. Mount St. Helena, the tallest mountain in the region at 4343’, closes off the valley to the north. Temperatures gradually cool toward the south as the marine layer from San Pablo Bay blows inland and the natural terrian shelters the temperate air from the hot central valley.

Colliding plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and constantly changing sea levels have bestowed Napa Valley with over 30 different types of soil, the most common including thin volcanic crust, marine sandstone, shale, and in some places serpentine. Residual volcanic activity is evident throughout Napa Valley in numerous hot springs and geothermal vents, such as the Old Faithful geyser in Calistoga.

Napa Valley Map

Napa Appellations
Within the Napa Valley appellation exist 15 subappellations, or American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), which include:

Atlas Peak
Chiles Valley District
Diamond Mountain District
Howell Mountain
Los Carneros
Mt. Veeder
Oakville
Rutherford
St. Helena
Spring Mountain District
Stags Leap District
Yountville
Wild Horse Valley
Oak Knoll District
Calistoga (pending approval)

Napa Syrah Characteristics
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes take up most of the red wine acreage in Napa Valley, as it commands a higher price, but Napa Syrah effortly displays trademark varietal characteristics such as black pepper and dried herb. Aromas and flavors tend toward black fruit with occasional smoked bacon and earth notes. Napa Syrah grown at higher elevations, such as Atlas Peak and Howell Mountain, exhibit firmer tannin and more smoke and game. Northern Napa Syrah, sourced from warmer areas like Calistoga and St. Helena, tend to show lush fruit with exotic spices such as anise and cinnamon. Wines from souther appleations, such as Los Carneros, tend to be leaner with dried herb and floral notes.

JC Cellars Napa Syrah Vineyards

Caldwell Vineyard - Napa Valley Syrah

Caldwell Vineyard sits 500 feet above sea level, giving panoramic views of Napa Valley, the Mayacamas, and Vacas. Grapes were first planted at the Caldwell site in 1982 with cuttings brought into the country using "creative" means. The weather at Caldwell Vineyards has a lot of similarities to its neighboring AVA, Carneros. This vineyard yields wines with a roasted red pepper and sun-baked earth quality, while also carrying flavor profiles of blackberry pie. More Images of Caldwell Vineyard

Stagecoach Vineyard - Napa Valley Syrah
Stagecoach Vineyard is an impressive mountain planting, stretching from the westernmost regions of Atlas Peak all the way to the east overlooking Oakville. Syrah is planted on the south and west facing slopes of the rocky, volcanic terrain. The combination of cool nights and warm days allows for superb complexity and optimal hang time to create wine with true varietal expression. Unique flavor characteristics include graphite minerality and roasted earth components intertwined with blackberry preserves and floral elements. More Images of Stagecoach Vineyard