Two thousand twenty-one’s cooler weather gave rise to a long, slow, and delightfully consistent growing season. The lack of early season rain and prevailing winds during fruit set resulted in tiny berries on open clusters, with higher than typical acidity and intensity of flavors. Both Antonio Galloni of Vinous and Erin Brooks of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate called the vintage exceptional in their early tastings and we have to say we agree. The resultant wines are taut, incredibly energetic and filigreed in detail. ~Maggie Harrison

 

The 2021 Lillian syrah opens with an expansive bouquet that evokes olive and oiled leather brightened by an almost marbled, mineral nuance that builds in the glass. Impressively concentrated pluot and pomegranate leads to black currant and a juicy plum center providing shape and energetic lift.  Orange bitters, sumac, black sesame and dried urfa chili persist on the strikingly long and spicy finish. This is the kind of syrah we imagine as tuning fork for our work — perfect pitch, vivacity and detail. ~Mimi Adams