Syrah Obsidian
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted leg of lamb, grilled ribeye steak, earthy wild mushroom risotto
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Sourced from the rugged, sun-drenched slopes of Knights Valley in Sonoma County, the Pax Obsidian Vineyard Syrah is a masterclass in volcanic terroir. The vineyard itself is named for the shards of black volcanic glass—obsidian—that litter the soils, reflecting the California sun and radiating heat back to the vines. This unique geological setting produces a Syrah of immense depth, structure, and mineral complexity. Winemaker Pax Mahle captures this wild landscape by employing traditional, low-intervention techniques, including whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts and aging in neutral French oak. The resulting wine is a dramatic expression of the varietal, balancing intense dark fruit with savory notes of cracked black pepper, cured meats, and a distinct, stony minerality that echoes its volcanic origins.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 2000 by Pax and Pamela Mahle, Pax is a pioneering Sonoma County winery celebrated for redefining California Syrah through a lens of elegance and restraint. Based in Sebastopol, California, the winery sources fruit from cool-climate, coastal-influenced vineyards across Sonoma and Mendocino counties, such as the acclaimed Alder Springs and Castelli Knight Ranch. Pax's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention, employing whole-cluster fermentation, native yeasts, and aging in concrete vats and neutral French oak to highlight pure terroir. The estate is highly renowned for its savory, structurally complex Syrahs, alongside vibrant, terroir-driven expressions of Gamay, Chenin Blanc, and Mondeuse.