Pax - Syrah North Coast 2023

Pax and Pam moved to wine country in 1997 to create a lifestyle that involved working with wine. After a few years of tasting and sourcing wine from all over California, Pax finally found a vineyard in which he felt a kismet connection. Alder Springs Vineyard was the site and subsequently led to the launch of the PAX brand in 2000.

The Mahles made a bold choice by favoring the “untapped potential"  of the Syrah grape. Their entire lineup of wines came from cool climate vineyards in  Sonoma County and Mendocino. These wines went on to be highly sought after and Pax quickly became established as one of California’s premier producers of Syrah.

From day one, all fruit has been sourced from organically and/or sustainably farmed vineyards. All Pax Wines are crushed by foot, fermented using ambient yeasts and crafted without the use of unnatural additives. Presently, their production has evolved to include rare and intriguing varieties including Trousseau Gris, Pineau D'Aunis, and Mondeuse Noire, along with a host of others from carefully selected sites up and down the California coast. 

This 100% Syrah is a blend of components from different vineyards on the north coast. The swale at Griffins Lair, the driveway rows at Castelli-Knight Ranch, barrels from Vine Hill that don’t make the cut for Hillsides, new sites that we are figuring out or just blocks or rows that typically underperform. The good stuff. 100% whole cluster fermentation. Aged 10 months neutral French oak Puncheons. 

The 2023 North Coast is classically styled and exemplifies the cool-climate Syrah profile with finesse and depth. Deep ruby with subtle violet reflections, indicating its youthful vibrancy. A complex bouquet of blackberry pie, violet, cracked black pepper, and loamy earth. Medium-bodied with a harmonious blend of black and red fruits, including blackberries and raspberries. The wine is textured with vibrant black and red fruits, meat, and exotic spice. Firm, spicy tannins provide structure, leading to a lingering finish with notes of black licorice, tar, and pomegranate liqueur. This wine's balanced acidity and structured tannins suggest it will age gracefully over the next 5-7 years.

"The 2023 Syrah North Coast is fabulous. Crushed flowers, herbs and deeply pitched spice overtones weave through a core of dark Syrah fruit. Vibrant and inviting, the North Coast Syrah is a gorgeous wine from Pax Mahle. The 2023 offers a terrific mix of forward fruit and bright, salivating acids. It was aged in neutral 500-liter barrels." - 93 Points, Vinous

"From a blend of sites, the 2023 Syrah North Coast is spicy and lifts from the glass with loads of classic appeal in its notes of fresh plum, cracked pepper, and wildflowers. It has racy acidity in this vintage, with a good deal of tension and freshness, fine tannins, and an even tapering finish." - 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

Producer: Pax

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Syrah

Appellation: North Coast

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml