Primarily Syrah (91% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah), 99 Steps greets you with savory aromas of candied bacon and gravel, alongside blackberry syrup and gunpowder. Bright notes of pomegranate, green tobacco leaf, and subtle floral accents add intrigue. On the palate, a silky texture develops with flavors of black currants, cracked pepper, and anise, leading to a broad, chalky mid-palate of plum and hard watermelon candy. The long, chalky finish is accented by sticky anise. Sourced from Fulldraw and Hawks Hill Ranch Vineyards, this wine spent 18 months in French oak, 50% of which was new.

The name "99 Steps" was born during our first vintage in 2017, when Winemaker Drew Nenow would count his steps walking up to our Syrah block. The number always landed on 99—a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much of our family winery’s story is still left to be written.

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast | Dec. 2024 Issue