Today's Wine Review
2022 Pax Wines Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French) "Griffin's Lair"
Winery: Pax Wines
Vintage: 2022
Wine Name/Vineyard: "Griffin's Lair"
Wine Category: Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French)
Grape blend: 100% Syrah
Bottle size: 750 ml
Region: Sonoma Coast
State or country: CA
Price: $75
Cases produced: 130
KWG Score: 95 (based on 4 reviews)
Ken's Wine Rating: Excellent (94)
Review date: January 30, 2026
Wine Review: This slightly hazy and deep ruby colored Syrah from Pax opens with a lingonberry, leather, and cola bouquet with hints of smoked meat, violets, and blueberry. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with nicely integrated medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is very smooth, balanced, lush, and polished. The flavor profile is a lingonberry and mushroom blend with notes of loam, black pepper, and cured meat. We also detected hints of red currant, licorice, and cedar. The finish is dry, and its flavors, acidity, and well-managed mild tannins drift away nicely. We would pair this Syrah with a grilled butterflied leg lamb or with a grilled portobello mushroom. Enjoy - KWGTP
1/30/25 - This slightly opaque and dark garnet colored Syrah from Pax opens with a boysenberry and black cherry bouquet with hints of cedar, violets, tobacco leaf, and red plum. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is very nicely balanced, silky, fresh, and lush. The flavor profile is a mulberry, smoked meat stick, and cedar blend with notes of boysenberry and black plum. We also detected hints of red licorice, oolong tea, and black peppercorn. The finish is dry, and its flavors, acidity and well-managed moderate tannins are nicely sustained. The Tasting Panel would pair this food friendly Syrah with lamb lollipops with a wild mushroom risotto. Enjoy – KWGTP (94)
Winemaker Notes: The slow-moving black liquid with purple edges in your glass gives you fair warning of the size of the wine you are about to taste. The nose…pure Griffins Lair! With dark reticent aromas of sea salt, violets, smoke, crème de cassis, cured meat and anything you can think of that is black. The texture and weight of this wine is incredible. The viscosity and suppleness dominate the character of this wine. While there is great dark fruit and no shortage of tannins and super bright fresh natural acidity that you would expect from Griffins Lair the wine is really all about texture and weight right now. It's pure Syrah deliciousness.
Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Pax 2022 Griffin's Lair Syrah.
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