Reynvaan Syrah "The Contender" 07
Reynvaan Syrah "The Contender" 07 - Lush and expansive. Aromas and flavors of blueberry and garrigue, minerals, dried meat, white pepper, fresh tobacco, and high plains grassland form the core of this dense and concentrated Syrah. Co-fermented with Marsanne prior to barrel. - Jean
"This wine showcases the more masculine traits that Syrah has to offer; smoke, petroleum and meaty characteristics. As the wine evolves, black fruits, violets, and intense minerality slide over the palette and make for a long and concentrated finish. This wine was co-fermented with Marsanne and will age in French oak barrels for eighteen months prior to bottling." - the winery
"The 2007 Reynvaan The Contender Syrah ($55) was co-fermented with 4 percent marsanne, and profits handsomely from that decision. It has more fruit, less smoke and meat than the companion syrah. Plenty of spice, pepper, a hint of granite, and a restrained herbaceousness make it more accessible, and yet quite ageworthy. A very good wine right out of the bottle, it seemed to fade a bit in the glass. Both of the syrahs, from third leaf fruit, display the winemaking style and character of Christophe Baron, with intense aromas and no shortage of pleasing, earthy funk." - Paul Gregutt, paulgregutt.com
Reynvaan Family Vineyards combines the Reynvaan family's two very promising vineyards with the exciting skills of young winemaker Matt Reynvaan. Matt worked at L'ecole #41 Winery before shifting his focus to his family's "The Rocks" and "Foothills" vineyards.
Matt Reynvaan makes the Reynvaan wines. His family are assisted in the development of their "In the Rocks" VIneyard by Christophe Baron (Cayuse owner and winemaker), the winery's viticulture and wine consultant. In an interview with wine writer and critic Paul Gregutt (paulgregutt.com), Christophe described his involvement with the proect: " “What seduced me,” he said in his still-thickly accented English, “was the idea of this being an estate winery. Not dealing with growers. Planting a vineyard in the right terroir, in the right way. We talked about all those parameters and the Reynvaans agreed to give me carte blanche. I need carte blanche. I’m not going to argue over ‘can we do it cheaper?’ – everything has been done the right way.”
The complete Paul Gregutt article is available here.
MORE INFORMATION
Fielding Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 07 
