INSIDER'S PICK: 2013 CORRALITOS VINEYARDS SYRAH SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS $15.99

New vintage of a big favorite from the last year+ when we were first introduced to this label. An offshoot from one of the better small outfits along the Santa Cruz Mountains (hint: you will be able to figure out who by looking for the same colored foils in the Pinot and Zin sections), this label acts as a value brand should they have access to extra fruit that may become available. Contracts get broken, yields are larger than expected, and sometimes good opportunities come about to make something nicer than usual on the cheap. And it is rare to find anything with an AVA as exclusive as this under $20 from anywhere in California, so we like showing off something distinctive like this whenever we can.

For those that had the 2012, there are definite vintage differences. Nothing to make one better/worse than the other, just the unique variety that the environment provides to make wine ever-changing and exciting. The cool climate character of the mountains still comes through with some meaty notes in the aroma, but the warmer 2013 vintage brings out more of the red and black fruits and hints of sweeter cocoa. The 2012 was almost a gamey dead ringer for a Crozes-Hermitage from the Northern Rhone. On the palate there is more richness and a juicier and saturated mouthfeel, definitely a more Californian kind of texture, but the meaty side always rides close beside the dark fruit, and the cool climate acidity provides a lingering tartness on the finish. While some could debate which vintage was 'better' for their palate, there is NO debate about just how great of a deal this is.

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