2012 Torrin Akasha Syrah

Torrin is the label started in 2005 by Scott Hawley, winemaker at Law Estates in Paso Robles. Hawley owns the 30-acre Torrin Vineyard and grows Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Mourvedre. The several wines are made in very limited amounts of fewer than 300 cases each, and available generally only by mailing list. Reviews of the wines have been extremely complimentary, with some wines rated in the high 90s. Wine Advocate has written that “with his first release in 2006, owner/winemaker Scott Hawley has quickly risen to the top tier of producers in California…I’m often asked who is the next up-and-coming estate in Paso. Torrin is always in the response.”

Paso Robles AVA is midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and it is considered one of the West Coast’s most exciting winemaking regions. With its hot, sometimes searingly dry and sunny weather, it is especially good country for growing warm climate grapes such as Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Because many Paso Robles wineries have been successful with blending these grapes into Rhone Valley-style wines, it is known as the Rhone zone of California. The AVA was created in 1983 and there are 32,000 vineyard acres. In late 2014 the AVA was divided into 11 smaller sub-appellations, so starting with 2015 vintages labeling will become more specific on Paso Robles wines, which will now also list sub-appellations. Located in San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles, the town and its surrounding area, was traditionally a farming and ranching region. But from a few dozen wineries in the early 1990s to more than 200 today, the area is quickly becoming known for wine and risk-taking winemakers.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.