FULL PULL :: VALUE FOR LOVERS OF FUNKY ROCKS SYRAH

(The following are exerpts from Full Pull's 10/21/15 offering of Proper's 2013 Estate Syrah)

Still a babe, this really revealed its finest aromatics after a few hours open. That’s when the briny black olives and roast beef notes came to the fore, melding beautifully with blueberry and huckleberry fruits, violet topnotes, and lovely sanguine mineral tones. The palate, on the other hand, was rocking right on pop-and-pour, with a swirling mass of deep fruit and umami tones. There are enough brackish sea-funk nori notes that this is like a cross between red wine and dashi. And setting aside the wild flavors for a moment, the texture is beautifully managed here: soft and supple, rich (14.8% listed alc) and seamless, true to the 2013 vintage and its immediate charms. I agree with the beginning of Harvey’s drinking window (“now”) but would personally drink these up by 2019 or 2020. I mean, really, why wait? There is so much savory charm here right now.

Someday I expect this wine will command prices commensurate with the best Syrahs in the state, but for now, it remains a fine value for lovers of funky rocks Syrah. This remains one of the most exciting new projects coming out of the Northwest these days...

Paul Zitarelli
Full Pull