Gård Collection Series Stoneridge Syrah

What a great surprise to receive this wonderful wine to labrat! Except for UPS taking it for an 8-hour ride on a triple-digit day, causing it to arrive at a 93 bottle temp, I have nothing but good things to report.

I opened the styrofoam to find a substantial bottle with an understated classy label prominently displaying their farmhouse logo. There is a lot of information going on: single vineyard, wine-geek soil specs, 24 cases produced, and tasting notes. There is also an etched QR-style code that may deter Rudy Kurniawan shenanigans.


Gard-branded synthetic cork popped at 68 degree temp. Instant big dark fruit aromas. Yes, there is some alcohol and it will need some time to breathe, but it was surprisingly aromatic and expressive for what I expected to be a closed and boozy nose. I opened when my parents visited, who happened to have brought Raising Cane’s. Probably not the perfect pairing, but it didn’t detract or clash at all. Pours a dark purple with crazy legs. Gard-branded synthetic cork.

Blueberries, plumcots, boysenberry, jolly-rancher cherry, candied fruit, black berries, and grape were the fruits the group picked up on. Leathery, general store / antique shop / old book aromas, peppercorns, sage / menthol, prosciutto, Kalamata olive. The wine is incredibly balanced, with a consistent taste and mouthfeel throughout the sip. It finishes clean, but lasts as if it had some blending help in that department. (It didn’t)

All of us agreed this was an incredibly well made wine that is very easy to drink. This was within 10 minutes of the bottle being opened, after taking a journey in hot temperatures. It was going fast, like great wines tend to do. I sent half home with my parents in a split bottle, and left the rest in the bottle covered with a paper towel to keep the gnats out, and waited until my better-half got home.

6 hours later, the wine was as great as before. She concurred with the aromas, but was focused on the mouthfeel and finish, finding both pleasing. She commented that the wine was “great” and “easy to drink” “nice finish.”

30 some hours later, my parents had their share with mushroom ravioli , Italian sausage & tomatoes & cucumbers in a vinaigrette. They said that the aromas had become more muted, but same descriptors. They liked very much, said the wine was not affected by the vinaigrette, and paired great with meal. Nothing bad to note.

I have a very generous glass left in the bottle, which I will try later today while the offering is live. We highly recommend this wine, with the only slightly negative thing is the fruit seems to be dissipating fairly quick with air, but that is a personal preference. The non-fruit aromas are wonderfully intriguing and the great balance and mouthfeel remains unfazed.

*Apparently, per writeup, there are 48 cases. I wonder if the label misprint helped these bottles end up here?

I knew it was going to be a mixed offer, per the low production volume. Pretty great they are all single vineyard Syrahs. Perfect for a tasting party.

2020 Gård Collection Series Syrah, Solaksen Vineyard

First my wife and I both agreed this is the best wine we had this year.

We got to try the Solaksen Syrah and it was amazing.

Initial smell, little vanilla peak, strong scent of maraschino cherry, very specifically that candied bar cherry. The taste was surprisingly balanced since I feel like Syrah’s usually tend to be too bold/alcoholic sometimes but this one was perfect, I won’t say light because it definitely was not but it was almost drinking more like a Cabernet Sauvignon and now that I look at the chart those are right next to each other on boldness so maybe that’s normal lol. Some cherry fruit and then a slight oak and vanilla.

my wife and I usually like Gard wines already but this might be the best one we’ve had. Definitely buying a case.

Day 2 - the wine was even more well balanced with the cherry taste fading to a more baking spice oak.

I am telling you, I’ve had far too much wine this year and this was the best bottle.

2020 Gård Collection Series Syrah, Conner Lee Vineyard

I’m going to do a very quick recommendation right now for what I tried: BUY THIS WINE
Late last week I received the 2020 Gård Collection Series Syrah, Conner Lee Vineyard, Columbia Valley to rat. It arrived HOT. We were near 100 degrees that afternoon, and the bottle knew it! I put it in the fridge for a few hours so I could try later that night.
I will add to this later when I have more time, but for those on the fence, this bottle was one of my favorites, and I’ve tried a LOT of wine!

I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve had from Gard, so this case was an easy yes (and thanks to summer hold, I have a few months to try and create some space in the cellar). If anyone in CMH wants to try and pry a 4-pack away from me feel free to reach out.

2020 Scarline Syrah – Gård Vintners (Lawrence Vineyards, Royal Slope)

Thank you so much for the rat opportunity! Smoothest arrival of a bottle yet. Received and picked up at UPS Friday which gave me enough time to sample over three days:
Day 1:
Appearance: Deep garnet with purple edges—almost black in the glass.
Nose (initial pour): Leather, earth, dark chocolate, and plum.
Palate: DRY. I almost did a spit take and assumed a large amount of sediment. Incredibly tight and closed at first sip—probably the most shut-down wine I’ve ever had right out of the bottle. No food pairing today, just tasting on its own. Second sip was much more tolerable.
Full-bodied, round texture, with long, slow legs.
Started to soften with time in the glass—picked up a touch of sweetness mid-palate but still finished bone dry. Chalky tannins. 
There’s some complexity here—maybe three or four layers—and the finish leaves a ripe berry note that lingers nicely.
Definitely feels like it could age for several years.
Day 2:
Much more expressive! The wine finally opened up—fruit really started to show through (blackberry, plum), while still staying dry and savory overall. Some added black pepper on the nose. Tannins have balanced and alcohol is totally unnoticeable, which seems wild at 15.2%! 
Still full-bodied and structured, but far more approachable. No food again today, but it probably would’ve paired well with roasted meats or something with herbs.
Day 3:
Very similar to Day 2 but fully open now—felt like it had hit its peak. Smooth, integrated, and drinking well. Some added floral notes I hadn’t noticed day 1 or 2. 
Finished the bottle today; don’t think it would hold up to a Day 4.
A few final notes:
Classic Washington Syrah style: bold, dark, earthy, and structured.
Needs serious air or decanting to show its best—this is not a pop-and-pour wine.
Good tannin and acid backbone—feels like it could cellar for at least another 5–8 years.
Would love to try it again with food—thinking grilled lamb, short ribs, or something with rosemary/thyme.
If this is under $30 a bottle, it’s a steal. I could drink this every day but would likely save for a special dinner.

Let me know if anyone else has tried it—I’m curious how others handled the closed first day!

appears that i can buy a case for immediate ship, but not for October ship
settled for a 4 pack
Unless…

So disappointed the summer hold option is sold out! I mean it’s hot everywhere! Understand not enough space to hold the cases so how about mediocre wines over the summer not the pretty decent or really good stuff everyone is concerned about? Or some mead or something? Sorry my rant fwiw!
I mean I’ll probably risk it & get a case shipped here to FL