The exact combination of this blend changes each year depending on the conditions, yet several key vineyards that form the base of Pax’s Hillside Syrah always appear. The key difference between this bolting and the Sonoma Coast wines is that the vineyard components may be sourced from anywhere within Sonoma County and all the way up to the rolling hills of northern Mendocino County. So, a true north-coast Californian expression of Syrah that is greater than the sum of its parts. Fermented with 100% whole bunches, the wine is aged for 10 months in a mixture of neutral French oak puncheons and concrete and bottled unfiltered.
Like all of this producer’s Syrah, it is intensely perfumed and bursts with focussed fruit and black olive salinity, paired with classic varietal notes of violet and pepper alongside refreshing acidity. This a compelling argument for just how singular and delicious Northern Californian Syrah can be.