This wine is from the same producer as N.108 Fair Play Zinfandel.

The vineyards of the El Dorado's Fair Play District occupy the transitional foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at elevations between 2,000- and 3,000-feet. As a result, the region has one of the larger diurnal swings in California. Renowned for powerful Zinfandel's that have, mercifully, been reigned in from the excesses of the 2000's, today the region produces wines of both power and grace and a great deal more precision.

This release is the second of several "Reserve" designated lots I purchased, all with 30+ price tags and all largely the winemaker's blends - N.109 is the winemakers blend and its 100% Syrah. All have been in barrel until August 2020. This is an extremely well respected producer with deep roots in the region. The wines are very well made with broad stylistic appeal in that they are precisely what you would expect from the region.

Medium Ruby in the glass with some sexy pale purple energy running through it...remarkably fresh looking for a 2018 wine...If I had to guess I would say it was a 2019. Vibrant and fresh nose features a lovely lilac note topping boysenberry, graham cracker and dark chocolate with the meaty, savory, peppery notes rounding out the lower register. Plush and lush yet powerfully structured on the palate with ripe purple and black fruits riding a savory mineral framework that showcases Fair Play's volcanic soils. Archetypal and Delicious! A steal at $14/bottle.

Check-in tasting 7.11.21 - Bang! Ripe, meaty boysenberry, brown sugar, violet and pepper explode from the glass. Exquisite balance and tremendous complexity make this an absolutely fantastic wine. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Best Syrah I have had out of the foothills..makes me wish I had more of this!

30% new French Oak
100% Syrah
14.9% alc.
Bottled November 13th, 2020