Big Classy Rich Red At A Small Price
Insane Quality. I Picked Up A Case For My Cellar!
In the Sierra Foofthills of California, about six years a go, we discovered a small family run Winery that flies below radar and makes some of the finest Price to Quality wine made in California today. The name of the Winery is Chatom and we have showcased their Merlot before. Recently we showcased their 2007 Chatom Cuvee, a field blend that you all loved and begged for more. I tasted through their full portfolio about a month ago and fell in love with is the 2007 Chatom Syrah. The Sierra Foothills are a touch warmer than Napa and Sonoma. You would think much warmer but being in the Foothills only about three degrees year round. Syrah prefers a warmer climate and this wine has thrived in its environment. Boutique winery Chatom vineyards is called “The Jewel of the Sierra Foothills”. Owned by pioneer of the AVA Gay Callan, Chatom’s reputation, burnished over 30 years, is for superior, hand crafted cuvees fashioned solely from the 13 varietals grown on its 65 acres. Winemaker is Mark Kunz previously of Matanzas Creek and BR Cohn. The 2007 vintage we all now know from Napa Cabs is one of the all-time greats, best since 1994 and absolutely lauded by Parker and Spectator. This wine is killer Syrah, opulent and rich, yet classy and elegant. Most Syrah at this price point is just all over the top, too big and rich and overly extracted. The kind of wine where you have difficulty getting through a glass because it so rich and syrupy. The Chatom Syrah has a natural richness and concentration from the vineyard, the winemaking and the vintage. Yet it is light on its feet, clean and pure, and long on the supple back-end. This drinks like a great Syrah from the cooler Sonoma Coast that sells anywhere from $40 to $80. Chatom does not get their wines rated. They prefer to develop relationships with people who appreciate wine and lets what’s in the bottle do the talking. Great drinking now over the cooler and over the next five years.

Tasting Notes: Aromas of intense dark fruit medley with hints of vanilla and light oak. Savor a mouthful of blueberry, baked cherry and blackberry terroir, white pepper and elegant oak with a lingering vanilla finish. Barrel Aged 18 months. 100% Estate Fruit the wine displays superb smoky black berry flavors, awesome richness, purity with a long, deep, rich satiny finish. A great wine and a great example of the grape.