2012 Syrah IX Estate

Who knew that an isolated spot in the eastern hills above St. Helena, in an area best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, would produce one of America’s most consistently spectacular Syrah bottlings? Apparently, Ann Colgin did.

Ann Colgin established Colgin Cellars in 1992 and then in 1998 purchased a 125-acre high-altitude estate on volcanic soil in the Pritchard Hill area overlooking Lake Hennessey. She and her husband Joe Wender named their property IX Estate because it was parcel #9 when previously owned by the Long Family and because Ann married Joe on September 9 (9/9). In 2000, they planted 20 acres of vines on IX Estate and in 2002 they completed their winery there and vinified their first harvest—not just the IX Red Wine (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) but a 100% Syrah that was stunningly rich and complex from the get-go. Subsequent vintages have only proven the site’s greatness for Syrah.

Colgin fans can look forward to two exceptional vintages in these 2012s and 2013s. In 2012 the harvest was quite long and stretched an entire month, from September 20 to October 20. The 2012s bring together expressive aromatics and gorgeous, radiant fruit. As good as the 2012s are, the 2013s take things to another level with their pure, unbridled energy and pulsating fruit. As always, these wines are made in tiny quantities, but readers can at least look forward to a little more Tychson Hill Cabernet as Ann Colgin and her husband Joe Wender develop a plot adjacent to that site over the coming years. Long-time winemaker Allison Tauziet shares her thoughts on the 2013 vintage in this short video.

Winemaker Allison Tauziet has done a fabulous job with her 2011s, but that isn't totally surprising, as I have had the chance to taste these wines from barrel every six months with Tauziet, proprietors Ann Colgin and Joe Wender, and their new COO, Paul Roberts, who moved over from BOND last year. The 2011s from IX Estate have always been superb, as this site on Pritchard Hill sits above the fog and drains well, both critical in 2011. The Cabernet Sauvignon from Tychson Hill is without question the wine that has come the farthest over the last two years, as it was incredibly raw and disjointed for much of its early life. In 2011 yields were down about 30%, not terrible for a year in which many producers suffered far more devastating losses. The 2012s are typical of the year in their silky, racy personalities. The 2011s and 2012s resemble the 2001s and 2002s respectively. Readers who want to learn more about the 2011s might enjoy this short video interview with Tauziet in the Colgin cellar. Tauziet shares her views on 2012 straight from the sorting table in this video.