Bergstrom Gargantua Oregon Syrah 2017

Nicholas Wines Exclusive

Bergstrom’s Syrahs have developed cult status in the industry. They routinely score 94-96 points, but this 2017 release never saw a critic because production was so minuscule. The cool winter and spring followed by perfect summer heat created wines with incredible balance and precision – in a vintage that Wine Spectator gave 95-points too despite the challenges. 

This wine, now with a little bit of age has developed a secondary complexity that separates great Syrah from good ones. The 2017 vintage’s natural restraint and Oregon’s volcanic soils create something entirely different from anything coming out of California – a much more focused, elegant, lower alcohol % bottling that has great structure and bones. Sitting with it for a while, one thing becomes perfectly clear… this is the kind of wine that picks up momentum each minute it spends in the glass.  

“Very classic Syrah perfume with peppery red/black fruits, garrigue, and dried herbs. The nose is distinctively mineral with notes of iron, wet stone & grilled meat. This wine is powerful, but also very floral and charming. Wonderfully fruity and floral in the mouth, with a dark red core of sweetness and blueberry flavors framed by ripe, stony tannins and a long, savory, mineral finish. When I created the Gargantua label in 2013, this is really the Rhône ranger wine I wanted to make. The Alc. here is 13.2%” -Josh Bergstrom