Klinker Brick Syrah Farrah is a full-bodied, 100% Syrah from Lodi, California, available in a standard 750ml bottle, sourced from vines over 125 years old. The 2023 vintage earned 92 points from James Suckling, and the 2022 vintage took Gold at both the California State Fair and San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition—recognition that underscores this wine's consistency across recent releases. Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Syrah | Origin: Lodi, California | Oak: 100% French (40% New) | Producer: Klinker Brick Winery Production & Heritage Klinker Brick Winery is a family-run estate in Lodi's warm, Mediterranean-influenced vineyards, a region increasingly recognized for producing world-class Rhône varieties. The Farrah bottling—named for winemaker Steve Felton's daughter, Farrah Felton-Jolley—draws from Syrah plantings that include vines exceeding 125 years of age, among the oldest documented Syrah vines in California. The fruit is fermented and then aged in 100% French oak barrels, with 40% new wood, lending structural tannin and a cocoa-laced richness without overwhelming the grape's natural intensity. Tasting Notes Aroma: Dark garnet in the glass, the nose opens with ripe black cherry and plum before moving into layers of bittersweet chocolate and a minty, herbal lift. Crushed violets and roses add a floral counterpoint to the fruit-forward core. Taste: The entry is plush and immediate—blackberry and blueberry flood the palate with almost decadent weight. At mid-palate, a distinct crack of white pepper and savory notes of fennel, rosemary, sage, and cumin emerge, adding real complexity. The French oak influence shows as a lush chocolate undercurrent that rounds out the fruit rather than competing with it. Finish: Long and layered, with leather, freshly turned earth, and clove lingering well after the last sip. Fine-grained tannins provide grip without astringency, making the finish feel polished and satisfying. How to Drink Farrah Syrah This wine is at its best served at around 60–65°F, either in a large-bowled glass neat or with a brief 30-minute decant to open the aromatic layers. Its bold structure also makes it a compelling ingredient in wine-forward cocktails and sangrias: Red Wine Sangria: The deep berry fruit and spice hold up beautifully against citrus and brandy. Kalimotxo: The chocolate richness and dark fruit create a surprisingly balanced pairing with cola over ice—a Spanish classic worth trying with a full-bodied Lodi Syrah. Mulled Wine: The inherent notes of clove, fennel, and cinnamon-adjacent spice make this a natural candidate for a winter warmer without needing heavy spice additions. Best For Gifting a red wine enthusiast who favors bold, full-bodied expressions Serving at a winter dinner party alongside braised meats Introducing someone to old-vine Lodi wines and the region's potential Building a cellar collection of California Rhône-variety wines Frequently Asked Questions What does Farrah Syrah taste like? Klinker Brick Farrah Syrah is a rich, full-bodied wine dominated by dark berry fruit—blackberry, blueberry, and plum—layered with bittersweet chocolate, white pepper, leather, and savory herbs like rosemary and fennel. How does Farrah Syrah compare to Northern Rhône Syrah? Northern Rhône Syrahs from appellations like Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage tend toward more restrained, minerally, and smoke-driven profiles, while Farrah Syrah leans into Lodi's warmer climate with riper, more generous dark fruit and a lusher mouthfeel. Both share the varietal's signature peppery spine and floral aromatics, but the Klinker Brick bottling is noticeably bolder and more fruit-forward. Is Farrah Syrah good for sipping neat? Absolutely—its layered aromatics, balanced tannins, and long finish reward slow, attentive drinking, especially after a brief decant to let the herbal and floral notes fully emerge. Where is Farrah Syrah made? Klinker Brick Winery is located in Lodi, California, in the northern San Joaquin Valley, a region known for its warm days, cool Delta breezes, and deep sandy-loam soils that are particularly well suited to old-vine Rhône varieties. What foods pair well with Farrah Syrah? Braised short ribs work exceptionally well, as the wine's tannin and dark fruit cut through rich, fatty meat. Grilled lamb chops echo the wine's herbal, rosemary-like notes. Aged Gouda or Gruyère complement the chocolate and earthy undertones. Black bean mole benefits from the shared spice and cocoa character. Smoked brisket matches the wine's intensity without overpowering it. What sizes does Farrah Syrah come in? Klinker Brick Syrah Farrah is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle. Is Farrah Syrah worth the price? Farrah Syrah positions in the mid-range tier for California Syrah, yet it delivers complexity—old-vine fruit, French oak aging, and consistent critical recognition above 90 points—that rivals wines at significantly higher price points, making it a strong value within the category. Why Farrah Syrah? The defining story here is vine age. Drawing from Syrah plantings over 125 years old, Farrah Syrah taps into a depth of fruit concentration and earthy complexity that younger vineyards simply cannot replicate. The 92-point score from James Suckling on the 2023 vintage, following Gold medals at two major California competitions for the 2022 vintage, confirms this is not a one-off success but a reliably excellent bottling. The all-French-oak aging regimen adds structure and cocoa-rich polish without masking the grape's peppery, floral character. For anyone exploring what old-vine Lodi Syrah can achieve at its best, this bottling makes a compelling case.
