This is our fourth release from this unique property, positioned 800 feet up the southwest face of Sonoma Mountain, hard by the Petaluma Gap which sweeps cool Pacific air past on its way to the Central Valley. Poor volcanic soils and the cool weather limit yields to two tons per acre or less, and it is routinely the last or among the last of our sites to be harvested. This cool climate brings out the savory characteristics of the variety, as opposed to its jammy, fruity side, and one finds here aromas and flavors of smoked meats, white pepper, green olive and grapefruit, with an almost Pinot-like texture and balance on the palate; definitely not a blockbuster style.

When we planted this in 2002 we put in 5% Viognier which we harvest at the same time and co-ferment. After some experimentation we find we like the inclusion of whole Syrah clusters in the fermentation and so add 25-30%; this seems to heighten the “Syrahness.” Other aspects of fermentation and élevage are the same as with all of our winemaking—native yeast and malolactic fermentations, aging sur lies, and bottling without filtration. This vintage rested almost 28 months in three-quarters new barrels. 320 cases produced.

Highlighted Reviews: 2008 Vintage

94 Antonio Galloni, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, February 2012
The 2008 Syrah Rodgers Creek Vineyard explodes onto the palate with cured meats, bacon fat, smoke, tar and wild cherries. It possesses a classic, cold-climate Syrah profile wedded to the power and richness that is typical of California. This is a dazzling wine from David Ramey. The 2008 Rodgers Creek is 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier, co-fermented and aged for 27 months in French oak, 75% new. Drink: 2013-2023.

93-95 Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, February 2011
Outrageously opulent, thick, inky and impressive, the 2008 Syrah Rodger’s Creek Vineyard displays notes of lard, ink, graphite, blackberries and cassis. This opulent, full-bodied, thick, juicy Syrah should drink well for a decade or more.  

94 Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/June 11
Glass-staining purple. Highly complex nose and palate feature black and blue fruits, spicecake, floral oil and smoky minerals. Shows seductive sweetness, excellent depth and a pliant, seamless texture. Fine-grained tannins add shape to the extremely long, spicy finish. This wine's intensity and focus are outstanding. This was just bottled so it saw over two years of barrel aging. Ramey is intrigued by the possibilities of extended elevage for syrah and intimated that he might push his 2009s even farther out. 

92 Wine Spectator January 31-February 29, 2012
An exotic mix of cool-climate Syrah, with loamy earth, roasted herb, crushed rock, black licorice and tobacco flavors, yet for all its size, this is a graceful and elegant wine, ending peppery. Drink now through 2022.  

18+ Richard Hemming, JancisRobinson.com, 5 April 2012
Meaty, bacon fat character. Raw fruit and a dense, opulent plushness on the palate. Excellent. Drink 2009-2018

95 The Rhone Report, Issue 10, December 2011
Wow, a totally smoking Syrah, the 2008 Ramey Syrah Rodger's Creek Vineyard, 100% Syrah fermented with ~30% whole cluster and aged for 28 months in 75% new French oak, delivers a brilliant bouquet of black currant, smoked meats, bay leaf, bacon fat, and graphite that carries into a full-bodied, rich, and awesomely concentrated palate. Despite the overall size here, this has fantastic detail, a pure, lifted texture, and more than enough structure to keep this aging well for 10-12+ years.

View all reviews of this wine