2014 Cattleya Wines "Soberanes Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah

Professional Reviews

Notes

The story of Cattleya begins in Medellín, Colombia where winemaker Bibiana González Rave was born and raised before moving to France in search of a wine education. After finishing her initial technician diploma near Cognac, Bibiana followed that up with a degree in Oenology from the University of Bordeaux, working harvests at Château Haut-Brion and other top estates in the area. After picking up additional experience in both Burgundy and the Northern Rhône, as well a stint in South Africa, she made her way out to California and worked her way up into a head winemaking position at Lynmar in the Russian River region. It was in Sonoma that she finally found her heart's terroir, the ability to make wines that truly expressed her soul's intentions. So she decided to put down roots. Married to winemaker Jeff Pisoni, son of famed California maverick Gary Pisoni, Bibiana was able to use her family connections to source a tiny amount of Syrah from Soberanes Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, one of the most dynamic sites for the varietal in the state. What she has done with that fruit is nothing short of miraculous, weaving layer upon layer of dark, mouthcoating fruit through waves of minerality and spice, bolstered by a rich texture and substantial weight. This is as close to a hidden gem as we find in California these days, as only 115 cases were made.