Silky and opulent, the 2021 Francis Coppola Reserve Syrah is a luxurious expression of all that Syrah has to offer. Inky black in color, with aromatic notes of black fruit, honey, violets, white pepper, baking spices and toasty brioche on the nose segue seamlessly into flavors of blackberry pie, boysenberry, clove, and nutmeg on the palate. Firm, round tannins provide structure and age-ability.

Dry Creek Valley is a small AVA, approximately 16 miles long by 2 miles wide, located northwest of Healdsburg, and bordered by Lake Sonoma and Dry Creek and the Russian River, and approximately 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Warm temperatures during the day and cool air and fog during nighttime allow fruit to ripen to their full potential, while maintaining natural acidity and balance. Gravelly and sandy loam provides the perfect amount of stress during the growing season, helping to enhance and flavors.

The 2021 vintage started off cold and dry. Initially inconsistent weather patterns created a lighter crop, but mild to warm weather later provided perfect conditions to develop concentration and flavor. Overall, a very nice harvest producing beautifully layered wines.