Vintage
2013
Reserve
We only bottle a Reserve Syrah in exceptional years, and 2013 proved to be such a vintage. A picture-perfect, long growing season resulted in grapes with balanced acidity, ripe tannins, and reasonable sugar levels.
This wine is also available in magnum format, and as a magnum in a wood box.
- Vineyard
- Tasting Notes
- Recipes
- Accolades
- Vintages
Vineyard Profile: Estate Vineyard
Located on a mountainside high above Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, the rocky soils of Montemaggiore's estate vineyards produce intensely flavored grapes at naturally low yields. Using biodynamic practices and organic materials, we farm Paolo's Vineyard without chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
2013 Vintage
An outstanding vintage for Montemaggiore wines! The vines broke their winter dormancy early with a dry spring, which was followed by moderate summer temperatures, and a relatively dry harvest. The long growing season resulted in grapes with balanced acidity, ripe tannins, and reasonable sugar levels—all leading to a classic vintage. 2013 was so high quality that Montemaggiore produced a Reserve wine, which had only happened twice in the prior ten years.
Winemaker's Goal
The Montemaggiore Reserve is intended to be the big brother to our Paolo's Vineyard Syrah: big, bold, intense, complex, and intended for long-term aging. Since it's only made in exceptional vintages, it reflects the best that Montemaggiore offers.
Food Pairings
Being an intense and complex wine, the Montemaggiore Reserve goes best with like-minded dishes, as it can overwhelm lighter or simpler dishes. But don't underestimate its ability to shine alongside an engrossing book and a roaring fire.
The Reserve pairs well with grass-fed steak, grilled sausages, butterflied lamb, pasta bolognese, Manchego cheese, and bitter-sweet chocolate.
Consider trying our recipes for osso buco, wild boar ragù, and chocolate pepper cookies.
Accolades
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
March 2016
“The 2013 Syrah Reserve, a blend of 94% Syrah and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, is sinewy and muscular, shows a deep ruby/purple color, a relatively compact and concentrated mouthfeel but seems unevolved and in need of further bottle age. I really like the wine, but it is difficult to penetrate given its structure and backwardness. I think both the [2013 Syrafina and 2013 Reserve] wines will merit slightly higher scores after another 2-4 years of bottle age. They are impressively crafted and pure but still closed, structured and locked-in.”