Syrah
⏳ Drinking Window
2004 - 2010
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted lamb chops, grilled duck breast, wild mushroom ragout
✨ Technical Specifications
Pax Mahle's interpretation of California Syrah represents a landmark shift in the state's winemaking history. In the early 2000s, when California Syrah was dominated by high-alcohol, heavily oaked styles, Pax championed a revolutionary return to cool-climate terroirs and Old World restraint. Sourcing from wind-swept, coastal-influenced vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino, these wines are crafted using traditional methods such as whole-cluster fermentation, foot-treading, and aging in neutral French oak and concrete vats. The result is a highly aromatic, savory expression of the grape that evokes the classic Northern Rhône style, defined by cracked black pepper, olive tapenade, smoked meats, and vibrant blue fruit, all underpinned by a distinct California coastal freshness.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 2000 by Pax and Pam Mahle, Pax Wines is an acclaimed artisanal producer based in Sebastopol within Sonoma County, California. Recognized as a pioneer of the New California wine movement, the winery focuses on cool-climate coastal terroirs across Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. Pax champions a minimalist, old-world approach to vinification, utilizing whole-cluster fermentation, indigenous yeasts, and aging in neutral French oak and concrete tanks to preserve purity and freshness. The estate is widely celebrated for its benchmark, savory Syrah bottlings—such as the Sonoma-Hillsides and Alder Springs Vineyard designations—as well as dynamic, terroir-driven expressions of Gamay, Chenin Blanc, and heritage varieties.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Syrah
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
12.5-13.5%