We couldn’t agree more with Josh Bergström’s belief that “American West Coast Syrah is unique, delicious, and belongs in the same conversation as the wines of France’s Northern Rhône Valley and other hallowed terroirs.” Despite remaining in the shadow of other varieties such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, the West Coast is home to equally compelling, world-class expressions of Syrah. Sourced from hand-selected vineyards across multiple Oregon AVAs, the fruit is natural yeast fermented with whole clusters and aged in neutral French oak to preserve purity and varietal character. 95+/100 - Youthfully backward and intense, the 2022 Syrah (Oregon) grumbles up with a dark blend of dusty dried flowers, wild blueberries and stone dust, complicated by hints of exotic spice and green olive. This is sleek and dark in nature yet youthfully lean, with tart wild berry fruits and savory spices that saturate the palate. There’s an Old-World feel here as the 2022 finishes long and tense, with edgy tannins that tug at the cheeks and a tart blackberry concentration that slowly fades. This needs time, and a lot of it, yet patience will be rewarded. Josh Bergstrom sources the fruit for Gargantua from vineyards in southern Oregon and matures the wine in neutral 500- and 600-liter oak barrels. (Reviewed May 2024) - Eric Guido, Vinous 95/100 - A lean, racy, earthy wine showing great tension and peppery freshness. Fermented with mostly whole clusters using 2% viognier grapes. Not as big and powerful as the name suggests, but offering savory, sage-like herbal qualities along with blackberries and sour cherries on the palate. Aged in all neutral (not new) barrels. (Reviewed May 2025) - Jim Gordon, James Suckling
