So from reading this forum, i have become very curious about Halcon’s Alturas Syrah.
I have seen it described as old world in style. But is it something you would guess Northern Rhone Syrah on if you tasted it blind? Or does it just have something that remind you of Northern Rhone Syrah, but still very clearly a Californien wine?
I don’t taste much US Syrah. It is not very popular in Copenhagen, so could need some help here before spending .
But rather than talking about which appellation it most resembles, it’s probably more helpful to say that the style is in the same spirit as the likes of Gonon, Allemand, Jamet etc rather than more oak-driven n Rhône styles such as Ogier, Guigal, etc.
How do you find the 2017? At the moment it is the only one available in the wine shops in Europe I know of (both the Alturas and the elevácion). Quite a bit more expensive than in the US I think, at 48€ per bottle including taxes, but thought it was worth trying.
Cheers! Just bought them, alongside some Arnot Roberts Sonoma Coast syrah 2018, Arnot Roberts Que syrah 2018 and Whitcraft Pinot Noir 2018 as well. Had the Whitcraft Pinot Noir 2016 at a restaurant in Madrid last September and it was fantastic, although I have been told that the wines can be a bit a hit or miss from some people.
I think this is partially it for certain. I opened a '16 and '17 Alturas over the last month and a half. I found the '16 to be the most Cote Rotie reminiscent domestic Syrah I’ve had. The '17 was much more California in fruit expression but still stood out from most any other I’ve had from this state in terms of depth of fruit without the weight you typically get. It’s also quite open right now as you note elsewhere in this thread.
I somehow missed the 2015 vintage. It has been nearly a year since I reviewed all the Halcón portfolio. The Alturas 2017 and 2018 are both beautifully complex with floral elements and black and red fruit along with tar and licorice. Excellent values made by Jackie Gordon. I highly recommend them. The 2019 samples arrive this weekend.