Pax North Coast Syrah California 2020

Description

Pax Mahle is without any doubt one of the driving forces behind the much written about 'New Wave' California wine scene. Pax began his working life as a sommelier. After meeting his future wife Pam, they travelled the vineyards of Europe before returning to the US to take the role of wine buyer for gourmet deli chain Dean & DeLuca. Exposed to American wines for the first time he started to imagine life as a vigneron and in 2000 they moved West and soon started Pax Wines with a major focus on Syrah. 

The couple dissolved the Pax brand in 2008. He then made a name for himself with Wind Gap wines, making some of the purest and most acclaimed wines in Northern California. In 2014, now with a fantastic new winemaking facility, Pax and Pam decided to bring his eponymous brand back to life. Their philosophy is to source from exceptional vineyards which have 'something to say'.

The North Coast Syrah is a multi-vineyard blend from the North Coast, whole-bunch fermented, aged for 15 months in used French oak and bottled without fining or filtration. This is a definite nod to the more elegant expressions of St Joseph such as those of Pierre Gonon.

This is medium puple in the glass, with light extraction showing in the tears; an outstanding and expressive nose, packed with dark berry and plum, spiced sausage, and savoury herbs as well as heady violets. On the palate it is medium bodied with round and ripe tannins, medium acidity - a picture perfect, absolutely delicious Syrah!