Ledge Vineyards syrah earns perfect score from wine critic
Mark Adams. Photo by James Joiner.
– Ledge Vineyards announced that its 2021 Ledge Syrah Block 11 Bien Nacido Vineyard has received a perfect 100-point score from wine critic Jeb Dunnuck.
“The 2021 Syrah Block 11 Bien Nacido Vineyard brings another level of purity and precision, as well as concentration, compared to the 2022,” Dunnuck said. “All Syrah aged 20 months in 60% new barrels, its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a truly sensational Syrah that has a layered, nuanced bouquet of blackberries, smoked game, peppery herbs, iron, and bouquet garni-like herbal notes. It’s full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with a pure, layered, seamless mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and that rare mix of purity, elegance, and richness. I would gladly put this side by side with the greatest Côte Rôtie out there, and it’s a magical, seamless Syrah that could come from nowhere else.”
The 2021 Ledge Syrah Block 11 Bien Nacido Vineyard, priced at $85, is the fourth vintage of this wine. It is one of two wines Ledge produces with grapes from the Bien Nacido Vineyard, along with the recently released 2023 Bien Nacido chardonnay.
Mark Adams, co-owner of Ledge, noted that 2021 was an exceptional year for wine production on the Central Coast.
“’21 was a great vintage on the Central Coast in general, with well-paced ripening weather—not too hot and not too cool, with cooperative diurnal swings allowing for ample rest in the evenings between warm days,” Adams said. “I received excellent progress reports from Bien Nacido vineyard manager Chris Hammell, and my goal is always to get the fruit to 26 brix or above while maintaining a healthy canopy and acidity. The fruit is special, but the key is to pay attention once it’s brought in.”
Adams, who was raised on the Templeton ranch where he and his wife Ciera now farm, learned winemaking while working at Saxum, which neighbors Adams Ranch, home to the Ledge estate vineyard. In 2005, Adams and Ciera planted their first vineyard block with syrah cuttings from Saxum’s James Berry Vineyard. The estate vineyard now grows syrah, grenache, mourvèdre, roussanne, cinsaut, counoise, grenache blanc, and clairette blanche. Ledge also sources fruit from Adams Ranch Vineyard, James Berry Vineyard, and Bien Nacido Vineyard.
Ledge wines are available through a wine club that offers six bottles twice a year, with fall and spring releases. Members can customize allocations, request additional bottles, and create wish lists for library wines and highly rated selections.
For more information, visit LedgeVineyards.com.
