Jessica Lauren Syrah 2022

Stolpman’s Pre Clonal, Own Rooted Projects
The Great Places began in 2006, when vigneron Ruben Solorzano visited Côte Rôtie. There, the oldest “serine” clusters looked and tasted more delicate than the widely available, modern-day Syrah clones. In 2007, Ruben replicated those ancient parcels on Stolpman’s steepest east-facing hillside. The wines subsequently produced proved to us that ancient pre-clonal material had the potential to revolutionize the quality of Stolpman Syrah.   

2022 Jessica Lauren Stolpman represents the 3rd pre-clonal strain to be added to the Great Places quiver. Planted in 2016, Jessica Lauren stands at just shy of an acre so production will remain tiny. Her pre-clonal strain represents the brand’s namesake Côte Rôtie parcel “Les Grandes Places” Serine.  
High wire, yet open and giving aromatics ride freely over olive and herbs (a nod to 100% whole-cluster fermentation). Fruit depth intensifies through the mouth over the savory undertones. Unprecedented energy somehow still bringing billowy yumminess. Red lightning bolts pierce the black night - red to black, black to red.  The wine packs so much love into a small, high-performance frame. Upon release, chalky fine tannins are perceptible giving the wine a courageous, assertive back bone. 

Wine Advocate 97, Vinous 97