Loxton Cellars

2008 Sonoma Valley

Syrah

$30.00 a bottle

Last weekend I was able to meet and taste with owner and winemaker Chris Loxton of Loxton Cellars in the heart of Sonoma Valley, California. It was such a pleasure to be able to meet him and discover his awesome Syrah. Chris is the fourth generation in his family involved with grape growing and wine making. The three generations before him have all owned the family vineyard near Moorook in the Riverland of South Australia. With Chris’s post-doctoral research in the states and starting Loxton Cellars, he now calls Sonoma Valley his home. Loxton Cellars primary focus is on Syrah and Zinfandel. I was extremely impressed with the taste and quality of his Syrah that day and knew this would be my next bottle to blog.

This 2008 Syrah comes from the Parmelee-Hill Vineyard. Parmelee Vineyard lies on an old river bed in the Sonoma Valley. When Chris started this vineyard it consisted of all river stones mixed with just a bit of soil. This gives the vines great drainage and vine growth with an early start to Spring. Chris felt this vineyard was ideal for Syrah and definitely has proven to be. This is a very intense Syrah full of huge fruit but still finishing with that classic Syrah smoke taste. The flavors were extremely bold on the palate, tasting the most fruit I have experienced ever in a Syrah. This 2008 Loxton Syrah has aromas of cherry, blackberry, wood, and must. Tasting first loads of dark berries and cherry and a long lingering finish of smoke and forest floor. A huge structured Syrah that is perfectly balanced. Not only is the beginning of this Syrah huge but also the finish, making me an instant lover of this wine. If in the Sonoma Valley area and you enjoy a great Syrah this is a must stop! Chris was also awarded the “Best Port” in Sonoma County.