2013 Three Wine Rodgers Creek Syrah 750 ml

The Next Matt Cline Bold Red For Your Cellar

We’ve dedicated thousands of words by now to the source of Matt Cline’s old-vine reds: Grapevines rooted in special sandy soils on unique sites so many years ago that it’s hard to imagine they still exist. We’ve walked the sites with Matt, examined vines over 120 years old, and we’ve listened to his stories—many of which credit long-time Wine Access friends with saving these vines by writing letters to county officials telling them to back off their threats of ripping up the vines for more housing projects. You’ve listened, you’ve helped, and been rewarded, showing it with thousands of 5-star reviews. But if you’re brand new to this story, and reading about Matt for the first time, reach out to Kate in Member Services and ask for a brief history on Three Wine Company. Thank us later.

For the rest of you—here’s another Cline-crafted beauty that packs the bold concentration of his old vine wines with the late-harvest opulence and cool-climate elegance of another truly special site: The 2013 Three Wine Rodgers Creek Syrah is released at $46, but is yours for $28 per bottle—39% off.

Matt Cline has a penchant for working with extraordinary vineyards. Whether it’s 120-year-old Zinfandel planted by Italian and Portuguese immigrants in the late 1800s, or Rodgers Creek Syrah—the coveted source of this single-vineyard 2013 release—all of Cline’s sites have one thing in common: singular, terroir-driven brilliance.

At Rodgers Creek, late-harvest opulence seamlessly intertwines with cool-climate elegance to produce Syrah which is at once bold and juicy, yet highly aromatic, etched with spicy cracked pepper and savory notes. And while Cline isn’t the only one who has noted Rodgers Creek’s magnificence, his efforts certainly offer the most value. California legend David Ramey’s Rodgers Creek Syrah goes for $60, and neighboring Skylark’s releases are $55.

Climbing up the rocky western face of Sonoma Mountain, on the edge of the Petaluma Wind Gap, Rodgers Creek Vineyard is a spectacular site. Perched at an elevation of 800 feet, dense fog, and cool Pacific breezes make for grape-growing conditions (and we were happy to have a Northface vest on when we last visited). The combination of elevation, fog, and ocean breezes prolong the growing season—often until late October, even November. The extended season allows grapes to ripen fully and slowly, building flavor and intensity, while maintaining vibrant acidity and focus. The well-draining, mineral-rich volcanic soils limit yields, producing deeply colored, highly concentrated berries.

While making wines that over-deliver on their price tags is routine for Cline, this takes things to another level. Simply put, there’s no reason for a single-vineyard gem like this Rodgers Creek Syrah to sell for $28—but when you’re friends with the winemaker like we are, sometimes you get lucky.