The 2016 Ramey Rodgers Creek Vineyard Syrah is a notable red wine from California's Sonoma Coast, produced by Ramey. This Syrah features a 14.5% alcohol content and is sealed with a cork closure. The wine has garnered high praise from various professional reviewers, underscoring its excellence and complexity.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded the wine an outstanding score of 95, highlighting its "classic Rhône-inspired markers of savory cured meats, black pepper, lavender, and black plum." Dunnuck further noted that the wine "displays richness without weight and has fine structure throughout," recommending it for consumption between 2022 and 2035 (jebdunnuck.com, 8/2/2022).
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate also provided a commendable review, giving the wine a score of 94+. The review mentions that the wine incorporates 8% Viognier and was aged for two years in barrels. It describes the wine as having "generous aromas of red and black cherries and blueberries with accents of milk chocolate, allspice, and garrigue." The palate is described as "full-bodied, fresh and chalky with a concentrated core of ripe fruit and a long, spicy finish" (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 7/14/2022).
Antonio Galloni of Vinous also rated the 2016 Syrah at 94, noting that it is "peaking today" and features "spice, worn-in leather, tobacco, incense, chocolate, cracked black pepper, and dried herbs." He adds that the wine is "a serious wine for the dinner table" and suggests giving it some air before serving (Vinous, 8/3/2023).
Wine Spectator’s review, which scored the wine at 93, described the Syrah as "sleek and polished" with "multilayered raspberry and plum flavors highlighted by baking spices, savory meat, and pepper." The wine concludes with "refined tannins" and is recommended to be enjoyed now through 2030 (Wine Spectator, 10/15/2023).
Lastly, Jim Gordon of Wine Enthusiast also rated the wine at 93, noting its appeal to fans of cool-climate Syrah. He described the wine as having "earthy, peaty aromas and meaty, smoky flavors" with "black pepper and grilled herb flavors" dominating over the subdued fruit elements (Wine Enthusiast, 10/1/2023).
In summary, the 2016 Ramey Rodgers Creek Vineyard Syrah is a well-structured, complex wine with rich, savory notes and a balanced finish, making it a standout choice for enthusiasts of Rhône-style Syrah.