- Practicing Biodynamic
- 100% Syrah
- The Bench Vineyard (Clements Hills – Lodi AVA)
- Fine-grained, sandy granite and tufa soils
- Vineyard’s temperature moderated by the Golden Gate Wind Gap
- 100% whole cluster fermentation
- Aged 6 months in neutral 500L French oak puncheons
- Free SO2 @ bottling 12 ppm
- 13% abv
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2023
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
Lodi
Variety:
Syrah
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Practicing Biodynamic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | US-PAX-44-23 | 12/750ml |
Press & Reviews
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2025-02-13
"Aromas of dark fruit, cured meat, black olive tapenade and dried herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with firmly framed tannins, bright acidity and serious earthy complexity. Such a generous and thoughtful wine. Drink or hold."
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2025-01-30
"The 2023 Syrah The Bench Vineyard is a powerful, bombastic Syrah that captures all the rustic intensity of Lodi. A blast of dark cherry, plum, leather, scorched earth, tobacco and brown sugar stains the palate. This huge, hulking Syrah is not exactly subtle, but it sure is delicious."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2022
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2025-02-13
"Aromas of cherries, Damson plums, violets and black olives. The palate is medium-bodied with finely integrated tannins, bright acidity, a generous texture and very herbal and meaty complexity. 100% whole-cluster fermentation. Delicious. Drink now."
2022
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
94
Date
2024-06-28
"The 2022 Syrah The Bench Vineyard is open and juicy on the nose, with lightly gamey notes of pancetta, violets, and fresh mixed berries. Medium-bodied, it fills the palate with a snappy lift and fine but present tannins, and it retains its rather red-fruited profile, with a poppy nature and a hint of wild herbs. Drink over the next 7-10 years."
2022
Wine Advocate
Score
93
Date
2024-10-10
"The 2022 Syrah The Bench was fermented with whole clusters and matured in used, 500-liter French oak puncheons. It takes plenty of aeration to reveal scents of blackcurrant, blueberry, violet and grilled meats. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and ripe with soft, savory undertones. It has rounded, easygoing tannins, juicy acidity and a long, floral finish."
2022
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2024-02-13
"The 2022 Syrah The Bench Vineyard is a joyous, explosive wine. A burst of dark red/purplish fruit, mocha, lavender and spice saturates the palate. This is an especially forward, juicy style for Pax. There's gorgeous immediacy here. The 2022 was done with 100% stems and aged in neutral oak."