Winemaker Stillman Brown, widely known for his top-scoring Red Zeppelin Rhone wines, just released the second vintage of his label honoring his father. This outstanding, unfiltered Syrah from the eastern side of Monterey’s coastal mountain range tastes of black plums, blackberries, earth, allspice, and white pepper. A well-balanced wine, it’s complex and well worth aging but quite drinkable now. Stillman says it’s his favorite Syrah clone and has “just enough tannic structure to remind you it isn’t Pinot Noir.” Enjoy it with flavorful dishes like lamb, ribeye steak, quail, or squab. It’s available at Hoppe’s Wine Bar in Cayucos, 15 Degrees C in Templeton, and Monterey St. Wine Co. in SLO, at $33 retail.
This article appears in Mar 26 – Apr 2, 2009.