2002 Pax Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard The Terraces
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Tasting notes
(includes 6% co-fermented viognier) Bright medium ruby. High-pitched aromas of black and red fruits complicated by hints of orange and pineapple as well as eucalyptus and peach pit. Very tight and sharply delineated in the middle palate, with a suggestion of blueberry pie. Then expands spectacularly on the back half, finishing with very fine but firm tannins and terrific definition of flavor. Yet more evidence of the high quality of this vineyard for syrah.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
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The 2002 Syrah The Terraces includes 6% Viognier in the blend, making it a California version of Marcel Guigal’s famed Cote Rotie La Mouline. Sadly, there are less than 100 cases of this 100% new oak-aged cuvee (a rarity at Pax). An opaque purple color, superb freshness, and a spectacular aromatic smorgasbord of blackberries, raspberries, cassis, peaches, and apricots are found in this 2002. It also boasts great intensity, tremendous unctuosity, huge body, and a sexiness that must be tasted to be believed. This totally captivating Syrah can be drunk now and over the next decade. This is a very exciting operation run by one of northern California’s new young turks, who is proving to have a formidable ability to translate cool climate vineyard sites into terrific wines ... all with no formal training. (Release date Winter 04) Tel. (707) 591-0782; Fax (707) 591-0784