Maraschino cherries, red plum, and a touch of black pepper entice you on the nose. The impressive palate combines red and black fruits with a dusting of cinnamon and clove. This wine would be excellent with a homemade marinara, spaghetti, and meatballs. Cellar through 2032.
Vinification
All lots were hand-harvested, with varying amounts of whole clusters. The fruit underwent 7-day cold soaks until the fermentations began, naturally and spontaneously. After fermentation, the fruit was gently basket pressed, and the wine was roughly settled before being racked to barrel.
Élevage
Native bacteria carried out a complete malolactic fermentation. After 12 months, the wine was blended and racked to neutral puncheons. It was then bottled, unfined and unfiltered, after 24 months of aging. This wine was crafted without the use of added enzymes, acids, tannins or nutrients.
Vineyards: Homestead Hill Vineyard, Glenrose Vineyard
Bottle Date: August 2022
Alcohol: 13.7%
pH: 3.59
TA (g/100mL): .57
Winemaker: Sherman Thacher
2021 Thacher Syrah, Paso Robles
Tasting Notes
While most of our Syrah goes into the Rhone-centric Constant Variable bottling, we occasionally have a harvest that provides us with enough wine to make a varietal bottling, as is the case with this 2021 Syrah, Paso Robles. While previous vintages were composed of two complementary vineyard sites, this vintage comes purely from our estate vineyard in Paso Robles. Complexity is added through whole-cluster inclusion, judicious oak use, and fermentation with a small percentage of Viognier. Aromas of vanilla, nutmeg, and a hint of fennel bulb herbaceousness on the nose of this bottling. There is decent weight to the palate, where rich blackberry, thyme, and more fennel flavors align.
Vinification
3 tons of clone 174, Durrel, and Estrella Syrah were hand-harvested from Homestead Hill Vineyard, in the first two weeks of September, between 25 and 26 brix. The fruit, with 15% whole clusters, underwent a 7-day cold-soak until fermentation began, naturally and spontaneously. The fruit was basket-pressed after fermentation.
Élevage
Élevage occurred in neutral barriques, where native bacteria carried out malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked in the winter of 2022/23, when the blend was assembled, and then returned to barrel. This wine was crafted without the use of added enzymes, acids, tannins or nutrients. The wine was aged for 33 months before being bottled in June 2024.
We are a family-owned and operated, authentic wine producer located in one of the world’s most superb wine-growing regions and fueled by some of the most talented people. We believe in this place we call home and the handmade wines we have to share with you. We have come from other places and have varied backgrounds, and we are grateful to share this lovely part of California with those who are also drawn to Paso Robles.
We strive to make elegant wines with more nuances than sheer power. We utilize diverse varietals from exceptional Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, and Monterey vineyards. Our wines are made with minimal intervention and native ferments, and the fruit, acid, and tannins are balanced naturally. We embrace the growing season’s inconsistencies and harvest’s unpredictability rather than producing a standardized product. We are genuine in this pursuit and care about what is in every bottle. What you see is what you get, we are all here to show you around and to pour you a taste. Come for a visit.
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Good evening Casemateers!
I was handed the golden ticket this week and fortunate enough to be shipped the 2021 Syrah.
I drink a lot of California and Washington Syrah, but prefer it to be from the cooler AVAs as Syrah can become very heavy and jammy.
Here’s ma notes.
Opened Saturday night, consumed 1/2 Saturday and 1/2 Sunday.
Wine poured clear of any sediment and was a dark purple. Nose is young, very aromatic. Night one, strong up front nose with alcohol, oak and very jammy, loads of dark fruit.
Body is heavy, wine is dry, with moderate acidity, medium round tannins and very flavorful. I’d say this wine today is a bit out of balance at least from my preferences with a bit too much alcohol and a bit jammier than I like. The primary flavor notes are blueberry jam and a bit of oak.
For the price point offered here, not a buy based on my personal preference but there’s plenty that like this style and will really enjoy this.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Thacher Mixed Reds - $65 = 24.49%
WE says of the Syrah:
94 points. Dark and inky in the glass, this estate bottling shows intense cassis and lavish violet aromas on the ripe, creamy nose. The palate is thick in texture but still shows compelling edges, offering roasted purple fruit, caramel cream and subtle vanilla flavors, making for a powerful expression. — Matt Kettmann 11/1/25
Jancis Robinson dot com also sipped Syrah:
17.5 / 20 points. Inky deep purple. Lots of black plum and skinsy blackberry – dense and savoury with round, chewable tannin. A lick of spice and sweetness to the finish. SO much flavour. Runs forever. Drink 2025 -2040 Samantha Cole-Johnson 3/24/25
I am a great consumer of wine (in every sense of those words), but not an oenophile, as I really don’t have much knowledge of the subject; I know what I like, but that is pretty much the extent of what I know. So, I’d appreciate it if anyone could explain how the Syrah is fermented “with a small percentage of Viognier”, but yet is still 100% Syrah. Thanks.
Happy New year! What a great way to kick off the new year with a rat bottle from Casemates!
Bottle was chilled prior to uncorking and paired with bacon wrapped grilled steak with roasted brussels sprouts and parmesan potatoes.
P&P you’re greeted immediately with a bouquet of flowers, on the mild side but most prominent of the aromas. Picked up hints of red berries, earthiness of green tea and subtle pepper.
Light bodied showing hints of white pepper (not very strong but present), low tanins with some tartness and acidic finish. Wine opened up more and went through stages of white pepper and transitioned to lite floral and refreshing finish. It drinks well on its own but will not compete with what you pair it with.
Wife and I had fun figuring this wine out as it went through different stages. Reminded us of how fun it is to pick at a wine.
Wine would be a crowd pleaser to open up the night or even get your day started for some of us
2021 Thacher Serious Play, Paso Robles
Tasting Notes
Vinification
Élevage
Specs
2021 Thacher Syrah, Paso Robles
Tasting Notes
Vinification
Élevage
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
not for sale on winery website, $720/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Jan 29 - Monday, Feb 2
Thacher Mixed Reds
4 bottles for $84.99 $21.25/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $189.99 $15.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2021 Thacher Serious Play
2021 Thacher Syrah
I love cote rotie style wines, and I’m curious what % viognier is cofermented in the syrah.
@CruelMelody Specs say zero, 100% Syrah
@CruelMelody tried to edit… notes differ don’t they…
@kaolis yeah that’s why I’m curious, maybe it’s a negligible amount
@CruelMelody @kaolis I just wrote a separate comment about this issue, and now I feel silly.
Syrah from Paso Robles, 15.3% alcohol.
Good evening Casemateers!
I was handed the golden ticket this week and fortunate enough to be shipped the 2021 Syrah.
I drink a lot of California and Washington Syrah, but prefer it to be from the cooler AVAs as Syrah can become very heavy and jammy.
Here’s ma notes.
Opened Saturday night, consumed 1/2 Saturday and 1/2 Sunday.
Wine poured clear of any sediment and was a dark purple. Nose is young, very aromatic. Night one, strong up front nose with alcohol, oak and very jammy, loads of dark fruit.
Body is heavy, wine is dry, with moderate acidity, medium round tannins and very flavorful. I’d say this wine today is a bit out of balance at least from my preferences with a bit too much alcohol and a bit jammier than I like. The primary flavor notes are blueberry jam and a bit of oak.
For the price point offered here, not a buy based on my personal preference but there’s plenty that like this style and will really enjoy this.
Just my 3 cents.
Cheers!
@CorTot Hey looks like you got promoted from Rat to Vintner… congrats!
@CorTot @kaolis
pre-caffeine; tnx
@CorTot That meets my expectations based on the AVA and abv!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Thacher Mixed Reds - $65 = 24.49%
WE says of the Syrah:
94 points. Dark and inky in the glass, this estate bottling shows intense cassis and lavish violet aromas on the ripe, creamy nose. The palate is thick in texture but still shows compelling edges, offering roasted purple fruit, caramel cream and subtle vanilla flavors, making for a powerful expression. — Matt Kettmann 11/1/25
Jancis Robinson dot com also sipped Syrah:
17.5 / 20 points. Inky deep purple. Lots of black plum and skinsy blackberry – dense and savoury with round, chewable tannin. A lick of spice and sweetness to the finish. SO much flavour. Runs forever. Drink 2025 -2040 Samantha Cole-Johnson 3/24/25
(The Serious Play, looks like 267 cases produced)
fwiw
I am a great consumer of wine (in every sense of those words), but not an oenophile, as I really don’t have much knowledge of the subject; I know what I like, but that is pretty much the extent of what I know. So, I’d appreciate it if anyone could explain how the Syrah is fermented “with a small percentage of Viognier”, but yet is still 100% Syrah. Thanks.
@trapuh via a typo the copy editor didn’t catch
@rjquillin @trapuh Ah shi
@ThomasF @trapuh
I really should have prefaced that with “perhaps”…
2021 Serious Play, Paso Robles
Happy New year! What a great way to kick off the new year with a rat bottle from Casemates!
Bottle was chilled prior to uncorking and paired with bacon wrapped grilled steak with roasted brussels sprouts and parmesan potatoes.
P&P you’re greeted immediately with a bouquet of flowers, on the mild side but most prominent of the aromas. Picked up hints of red berries, earthiness of green tea and subtle pepper.
Light bodied showing hints of white pepper (not very strong but present), low tanins with some tartness and acidic finish. Wine opened up more and went through stages of white pepper and transitioned to lite floral and refreshing finish. It drinks well on its own but will not compete with what you pair it with.
Wife and I had fun figuring this wine out as it went through different stages. Reminded us of how fun it is to pick at a wine.
Wine would be a crowd pleaser to open up the night or even get your day started for some of us