“IX Estate” Syrah

Tasting Notes

The 2021 "IX Estate" Syrah combines intensity with a touch of poetry. Captivating mineral and floral notes bring excitement upon first impressions, while juicy blackberry, licorice, and bouquet garni charm the senses. Silky layers of tannin embrace the palate with coating layers, in an unctuous textural experience. A long aromatic finish lingers with flavors of cocoa nib and wildflowers.

Climatic Conditions

The 2021 growing season yielded fruit extraordinarily rich in character and concentration. A decrease in rainfall in the wintertime, just half of normal, set the stage for a precocious season. The soil warmed earlier, leading vines on an accelerated timeline for the season. Summer unfolded with just one heat event in late June after the summer solstice. The remainder of the season was moderate, but momentum still gained in late summer, leading to a fast-paced harvest in September and October.
As moisture was low in the soil in 2021, it was essential to maintain an awareness of the nutrition of the vines. A healthy soil with adequate nutrients and minerals ensures fruitfulness of the crop and a harmonious ripening of not just the vintage in progress, but also those to follow. Our perennial strategy of ensuring a thriving microbiology in the soils enhanced the success of the 2021 vintage at Colgin. For many years, the use of compost, organic inputs, and annual cover crops that capture nitrogen from the atmosphere for tillage into the soil, have verified that our commitment to organic farming is not just beneficial for our environment, but in 2021, we see it also ensured the sustainability and quality of our crop.
The moderate weather of the season ensured every aspect of nuance in the fruit was well captured. Across all sites, fruit was in impeccable condition. The modest rainfall of the season culminated in the vines producing small berries brimming with flavor and color. The 2021 vintage has appeal in every facet- aroma, texture, and taste, in just the right amounts. Site driven flavors of mineral, flora and fauna are maximized in this vintage, with varietal flavors naturally infused in the wines.

Tasting Notes

The 2018 "IX Estate" Syrah attracts with alluring notes of violets, plum, and licorice. Warmed spice notes of toasted coriander seed, white pepper, and salt brine entice a sip and are complemented by salivating notes of smoked bacon. Deep, yet elegantly textured tannins frame the palate with a voluminous and juicy finish.

Climatic Conditions

The 2018 growing season in Napa Valley will be remembered for its mild weather throughout the year. The dormant season of winter, however, began with an unusually dry spell. Half of the rain we received did not arrive until after March 1st. A modest 20 inches in total, slightly below our average. By mid-April, the rains ceased and a contented season in the vineyard unfolded. Perhaps the biggest challenge to the entire season was the burgeoning grasses on the vineyard floor, a sign of the healthy soils.

Weather in May was cool, giving us moderate growth of the vines. A few sprinkles of rain occurred at the tail end, causing some flowers to shatter during bloom, resulting in looser clusters at harvest. Temperatures for the remainder of the season were incredibly mild. Much like 2013 and 2016, there was only 1 day over 100 degrees at the IX Estate for the entire year.

The first fruit was harvested the last week in September and was followed by a rain event in the first days of October. Drying winds coupled with our timely removal of leaves enhanced airflow around the clusters. After a one week pause, we began harvesting once again the second week of October. The photogenic clusters harvested in 2018 had dark blue plump berries rich in flavor.

The wines of this vintage are classic and pure, with a spectrum of flavor and are aromatically pixelated. They exhibit an intellectual character which displays distinct moods with time in the glass. Counter to some vintages, the 2018’s transform from savory aromatics into deeply fruity aromatics rather than vice versa. As they open, their well-defined, firm tannins evolve into a very full, velvety texture.

Tasting Notes

The aromas of the 2016 “IX Estate” Syrah exemplify the strikingly coastal feel of the growing season. The bouquet offers delicious black cherry and dark licorice, alongside gorgeously wild notes of game meats, niçoise olives, and sea breeze. Hints of graphite and cracked pepper reveal themselves subtly. The viscous texture of this wine is perfectly tempered by a bright acidity with a markedly saline feel. Flavors fill the palate, ensuring this succulent wine will become even more captivating over time.

Climatic Conditions

The winter of 2016 began with steady rainfall, bringing small doses over the entire winter and ending with a very rainy beginning of March. Following a sequence of drought vintages beginning in 2012, the wet winter brought a final reprieve from dry conditions. Budbreak arrived shortly thereafter as vines began a season that restored balance to vine and soil health. Steady shoot growth followed in April, and warm weather took hold in May during the blooming period. This healthy start to the season was a blessing, but the incredible weather that followed in the summer and fall would become the story of the vintage. We began harvest under foggy conditions in the middle of September. The mild nature of the remainder of the season would serve to retain flavor nuances and accumulate heightened amounts of color in the grape skins. Fruit condition over the entirety of harvest was impeccable. Supple skinned berries bursting with flavor and color extracted to form wines of freshness and vibrancy with an intensely harmonious palate. The wines of the 2016 vintage are thrilling and multifaceted- every nuance of delectable fruit is matched by vivid notes of each distinctive terroir.

Tasting Notes

The 2014 “IX Estate” Syrah has an enticingly seductive perfume of tangerine, complemented by aromas of dark chocolate, dried flowers, and white pepper. Saline notes of oyster shell and tapenade are interwoven with ferrous mineral notes from IX Estate’s volcanic, iron-rich soils. Flavors of blackberry cobbler, grilled steak fat, and cured meats contribute to a rich texture from the first sip. The palate is enveloping with smooth and deeply layered tannins.

Climatic Conditions

The wines of 2014 have an immense sense of purity. The mild weather of the 2014 season produced wines with a sophistication that beautifully balances elegance with true power. The superbly delineated flavors are both fresh and fully ripe. A harmonious quality is apparent in the suave texture of these wines. The 2014 vintage seductively draws you in, then piques your curiosity, and keeps you returning repeatedly for more. Following the unseasonably dry 2013 vintage, 2014 began with one of the driest Januarys in recent history. It was not until February that we received the bulk of our wet weather. Despite all the references to a drought, perhaps what made an even bigger imprint on the 2014 season was the warmth we experienced throughout the winter. As both factors combined, we began one of the earliest growing seasons since 2005. As spring and summer unfolded, we saw marginally warmer temperatures all year long, yet we experienced very few heat waves. The vines set a beautiful crop, and it was no surprise that 2014 led to one of our earliest harvests, beginning on August 29. Berries were plump and fresh as they were harvested. As the wines evolved in the cellar, we observed how their flavors spanned a broad spectrum—from powerful, dark fruits, to classic and subtle Napa Valley herbal and earth notes, reminiscent of an earlier era. With their silky textures developing over the course of the fermentation, we extracted the wines using longer, slower macerations, adding to their nuance and length. 2014 stands apart from its predecessors in that it captures the supple, dense qualities of a warm vintage, married with the perfumed characteristics of a cooler vintage. Such qualities harken back to exemplary vintages like 2005, and even further back to the age-worthy 1995.

Tasting Notes

The floral perfume that defines the “IX Estate” Syrah is truly vibrant in the 2012 vintage. Jasmine, orange blossom, niçoise olive, and herbes de Provence notes captivate the nose. Subtle, smoky notes add a savory essence to the wine’s signature black fruit. The floral, fruit, spice, and earth elements are so intertwined that the aroma is seductive and beguiling. The tannins are rich and exquisite, making this a luxurious wine on the palate. The concentration and structure ensure that there is much evolution ahead for this aromatic and opulent wine.

Climatic Conditions

The 2012 season was classic in nature, as it was quite temperate and long. The season began with moderate rainfall, much of which fell during early March. Budbreak began the first week of April, and a few, small rain events occurred, helping to nurture the soil. By mid-May, we began a steady cycle of gorgeous weather. Great weather at bloom is a significant bellwether for many great vintages. The climatic conditions were so ideal that the vines set quite a healthy crop. As summer evolved, we began meticulously removing excess fruit to ensure the highest level of quality. A textbook August and September followed, with few heat events. Harvest commenced in mid-September and continued steadily for the next month. The wines were crafted with a keen sense of preserving freshness and capturing the distinct flavors and textures of this sensational vintage. The resulting wines are incredibly appealing as they contain exceptional intensity and a lovely, seductive opulence.

Tasting Notes

The cooler growing season helped to bring new dimensions of flavor to the 2010 “IX Estate” Syrah. In addition to perfumed, floral notes that Syrah typically exudes, the 2010 is also redolent of game and grilled duck meat. This mixture of savory game and floral notes continues onto the palate, with polished, savory tannins. There is a subtle salinity to the palate, very reminiscent of the wines of the Northern Rhone, but this wine exceeds that due to its sheer density. This vintage of "IX Estate" Syrah will bring great enjoyment in the near term for its silkiness, yet, like other vintages, it will add more layers of complexity and breadth with time in bottle.

Climatic Conditions

The 2010 growing season in Napa Valley was cooler in nature. The season started off about 10 days behind average due to cooler temperatures and periods of rainfall in April and May. Because of the late spring, the vines grew rapidly in May and June, making it imperative to work efficiently on the vine canopies to taper off the growth and bring balance to the vine. Mother nature brought her own balance to the vine as well by creating less crop. The summer brought moderate temperatures until August, when we experienced many days with dense, foggy mornings. The heat returned in late August and the season began to catch up. We were incredibly blessed to receive sunny, warm weather into September and October. Because of the cooler weather and later harvest, the grapes were harvested with wonderful levels of acidity and vividly preserved flavors. In the 2010 vintage, the longer maturation resulted in wines with rich tannins and excellent structure.

Tasting Notes

The 2008 “IX Estate” Syrah is incredibly perfumed and full of delicate and exotic aromas. Effusive notes of violets, talc, and jasmine tea mingle in the glass, along with an intensely savory note of classic bacon fat and cured meats. A beguiling aroma of tangerine rind lingers on the nose. On the palate, the texture is silky, and the wine possesses great elegance despite its full-bodied flavor. The 2008 will continue to evolve and gain complexity for at least another ten years.

Climatic Conditions

The 2008 vintage was shaped by the La Niña weather pattern. We experienced just 60% of our average rainfall in the Napa Valley, where most of that rain came in the wintertime, and tapered off in mid-March. Because of the dry spring, the dry soils prompted the vines to push their growth earlier than usual. This would set the stage for the remainder of the season. With a dry spring, the vines naturally produced less fruit than average during bloom in May. Several heat events in the summer sped up the season but also helped to bring uniformity to the ripeness of the fruit, causing the berries to change color simultaneously. A heat wave at the beginning of September started the harvest off fast and furiously with Merlot and Syrah. Soon, the weather cooled off, allowing the Cabernet to ripen slowly, and be picked at the end of September. Crops were quite tiny, but the results are wines with great structure and concentration.

Tasting Notes

The 2006 "IX Estate" Syrah exemplifies the savory qualities of this varietal. Salty aromas of bacon fat, Parma ham, soy, and white pepper unfold on the nose. Sweeter notes of purple fruits, fresh flowers, and caramel bring balance to the savory yet fruitful quality of this wine. As brooding as it is, the wine retains great freshness, coating the palate with layers of silky tannin. Rich aromatics continue to linger on the finish. The 2006 Syrah drinks brilliantly now and will continue to evolve for ten or more years.

Climatic Conditions

The 2006 vintage began a bit slower than the average year. With a wetter winter, soils took longer to dry out, and vines began to wake up in April, several weeks later than usual. By early June, vines were making up time thanks to a beautifully moderate spring. A heat wave in July helped signal to the vines that summer had arrived, telling them to slow their growth, and begin the focus on ripening their fruit. A beautiful summer followed, and warmer temperatures in October helped to develop intense color and ripe, soft tannins. The wines of the 2006 vintage are all defined by their bright aromatics, fresh acidities, and great balance.

Tasting Notes

The 2004 “IX Estate” Syrah captures the astonishing balance between Syrah’s varietal minerality and the rugged warmth of the IX Estate vineyard. Fresh, uplifting aromatics of tobacco leaf, white and black pepper, and blue fruit abound. The wine is multidimensional, as the palate is carried by the primary fruit notes that quickly evolve to earth-driven, rocky, and savory sensations. Still a full-bodied expression, the 2004 has mellowed slightly, showing its true sophistication and complexity.

Climatic Conditions

The 2004 vintage will be remembered for its early growing season. Warm yet even summer weather was bracketed by an early spring bud break and several, late summer heat events, creating conditions that allowed for one of the earliest harvests in nearly a decade. The fruit bears the imprint of that early spring, and a slow and steady maturation, which concluded with a fast, hot finish, resulting in wines with impeccable intensity.

Tasting Notes

The 2002 “IX Estate” Syrah is intensely dark with a garnet-tinged rim at twenty years old. Fresh aromatics of black cherry intertwine with an earthy, autumnal background. There are complex, savory notes of white and black pepper, gamey meat, and iron. The palate highlights the warmth of the 2002 vintage, where complete ripeness was achieved, yielding abundant tannins nearing resolution and perfectly fresh fruit notes that still abound after twenty years.

Climatic Conditions

The 2002 vintage will be remembered by a lengthy and mild growing season, followed by warm weather near the end of September that encouraged ripening and condensed the harvest. An early April frost and May rains gave way to a moderate summer with ideal growing conditions—warm days and cool, or even cold nights. Overall, the crop was balanced, showing vibrant, intense colors, and flavor concentration.