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2010 Vintage

91-94 Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate February 2012
The 2010 Syrah is a big, bombastic wine. Dark cherries, plums, grilled herbs and white flowers burst onto the palate in this huge, tannic Syrah. The 2010 is endowed with tremendous density and sheer energy, not to mention potential. I loved it. Drink: 2015-2030.

2009 Vintage

92-94 Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/June 2011
Opaque purple. Intensely perfumed, primary aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black pepper and spicecake, with attractive floral lift. Supple, juicy and distinctly youthful, with high-pitched dark berry flavors and a sexy violet pastille quality. The blueberry note repeats on the finish, which shows alluring sweetness and gentle grip. This is still a ways off from bottling.

91-93 Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate February 2012
The 2009 Syrah (from barrel) emerges from the glass with layers of silky dark red fruit, flowers, mint and minerals. This is an especially refined wine, especially when tasted next to the 2008. I especially like the finesse and elegance of it. The bouquet isn’t quite fully developed yet, but the 2009 impresses for its polished personality. The 2009 was co-fermented with 7% Viognier and spent 24 months in French oak barrels, 60% new. Drink: 2014-2024.

2008 Vintage

92 Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/June 2011
Inky ruby. Assertively perfumed aromas of blackberry, cola, potpourri and licorice, with an emphatic smokiness. Bright and spicy on the palate, with mineral-driven dark berry compote flavors showing impressive clarity and a sexy floral nuance. Lively acidity gives lift and cut to the long, spicy finish. This could only be syrah.

91+Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate February 2012
The 2008 Syrah is a huge wine bursting with dark fruit, tar, licorice, black olive tapenade, savory herbs and smoke. Some of the wilder, rougher qualities of Syrah are present, but the wine nevertheless delivers tons of pleasure. Layers of fruit build towards the rich finish. Ramey co-fermented 6% Viognier with the Syrah and aged the wine for 24 months in French oak barrels, 60% new. Drink: 2013-2023.

88-90 Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate February 2011
The 2008 Syrah Sonoma Coast reveals notions of roasted herbs, chocolate, red and black fruits and spice. It is not as complex or nuanced as the 2007, but it had not yet been bottled.

91 California Grapevine Vol. 38, March 2012
Medium-dark ruby; attractive, intense, brambly, blackberry fruit aroma with hints of smoked meat and black pepper; full body; big, forward, rich, extracted, cedary, ripe blackberry fruit flavors with good depth and a slightly creamy mouthfeel; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Enjoyable to drink now with savory dishes and should continue to develop with several more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.

93 The Rhone Report, Issue 10, December 2011
The 2008 Ramey Syrah Sonoma Coast is a text book Syrah (as well as a fantastic value) that delivers exciting notes of ripe blackberry and raspberry styled fruits, smoked game, loads of minerality, and lifting, complementing floral undertones on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, with a concentration, rich mid-palate, gorgeous purity and finesse, and a classically styled, structured finish, this fantastic Syrah opens up with air and presents a thrilling drinking experience. It should age effortlessly for 10-12 years, if not longer.

2007 Vintage

91 Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/June 2010
Inky ruby. Ripe, spicy blackberry and boysenberry aromas are complicated by notes of licorice, cola and musky flowers. Broad and velvety, with deep black and blue fruit and candied violet flavors and slow-building tannins. Very attractive syrah with good depth and surprising vivacity on the long, focused finish. This was fermented with 25% whole clusters.

93 Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate February 2010
The 2007 Syrah Sonoma Coast, which is co-fermented with 7% Viognier, boasts huge aromatics of tapenade, bacon fat, pepper, black currants, and hints of lychee nuts and marmalade (no doubt from the Viognier). Inky/purple-colored, dense, full-bodied, and impressive, this is a top-flight Syrah that should drink beautifully for a decade.

89 (one puff) Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, March 2011
It may not quite measure up to its pricier sibling from the Rodgers Creek Vineyard, but Ramey's appellation Syrah is still a solid, well-extracted effort that offers up a fair measure of very ripe, peppery fruit with a nice dollop of sweet oak off to the side. It may run afoul of some finishing toughness and heat, but a few years of age and service with appropriately big-flavored foods will see it through to its best.

92 Wine Spectator March 31, 2011
Firm and intense, with a mix of smoked meat, dried berry, spice, mineral and sage notes. Full-bodied, complex and layered, ending with a rich berry pie and mineral aftertaste. Drink now through 2017.

90 California Grapevine, Vol. 37, No. 1, February-March 2011
Medium-dark ruby; attractive, earthy, peppery, ripe blackberry fruit aroma with overtones of vanilla; full body; rich, plummy, peppery, ripe, dark berry fruit flavors; full tannin; a bit gritty on the finish; lingering aftertaste. More approachable than their Rodgers Creek bottling. Very highly recommended.