A single 500-liter puncheon was produced of the 2023 Syrah The Great Places Otto Reynard Stolpman, which I tasted before bottling. It is another new addition to this superb array of ultra-high-density plantings at Stolpman, all of which increase the headroom for Syrah's potential in the region. This bottling emerges from a west-facing section of stake-trained vines planted to 6,000 vines per acre, propagated from pre-clonal cuttings of Domaine Auguste Clape's parcel in Reynard. The most floral and perfumed of the series, it opens with a gorgeous nose of lavender and violet aromas grounded by black and blue fruits with dusty, spice-driven flourishes. On the palate, it is seamless, dense and concentrated while exuding a palpable sense of authenticity that feels tailored and guided rather than forced into its robust frame. It finishes with a quick punch of velvety, tannic intensity before recoiling with youthful tension. Even with a relatively short time in the glass, this wine unlocked dynamically, the finish eventually displaying a classy decadence through an upright, unwavering posture. I couldn't have been more impressed with this new range from Stolpman, and I cannot wait to taste this as a finished wine.
- Matthew Luczy (10/2024)
