2011 Pax Castelli Knight Ranch Syrah

Pax Wine Cellars was founded in 2000 by Pax Mahle, a self-trained winemaker, and Joe Donelan, an investor and wine collector who owned 55% of Pax Wine Cellars. The Sonoma County winery became a cult producer of single-vineyard Syrahs. But in 2008 the founders had a falling out, and Pax Mahle left the company. Mahle went on to found Wind Gap Wines, and Donelan changed the name of Pax Wine Cellars to Donelan. Donelan makes Syrah, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a Rhone-style blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.

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.