2020 Syrah G2

Turtle Rock’s Don Burns marries power to precision with a lineup that pays homage to his experience with mentor Justin Smith (Saxum) but that still comes across as entirely unique. Burns got his start working at Saxum, going on 15 years, and now makes his own wines in Tin City. The portfolio comprises just 2,500 cases a year, yet it is worth hunting for. The varieties are primarily Rhône focused, along with Zinfandel and Tempranillo, and everything is co-fermented. There are no single-variety wines. I had the opportunity to taste through the portfolio twice during my stay in Paso, once with Burns and again, on my own, where I could follow the wines over the course of a few days. Each one held up beautifully and, in most cases, improved. In 2024, Burns will be planting his first three-acre estate vineyard. This is a producer to seek out!