2020 VERITAS SEQUITUR ESTATE SYRAH
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
The 2020 Veritas Sequitur Estate Syrah is another exquisite wine. It is quintessentially Rocks District terroir – high aromatic intensity, firm structure, incredible finesse and elegance. This wine has a dense, dark purple color with a compelling bouquet of blackberry, framboise, orange peel, olive tapenade, white pepper, Asian spices, garrigue, bacon fat, truffle, stony minerality, and forest floor. The stunning palate defines elegance and finesse, with refined tannins and well delineated notes of black plum, framboise, orange peel, Asian spices, bacon fat, truffle, aged cigar tobacco, white pepper, garrigue, black olive, and dark chocolate. The very long finish resolves with savory, umami notes of truffle, bacon fat, white pepper, and stony minerality. The wine showcases elegant structure, exquisite balance, and incredible flavor purity. This wine will continue to improve for the next 8-10 years and should drink well for the next 15+ years.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
The wine had a pre-fermentation maceration of 139 hours and a post-fermentation maceration of 154 hours. The wine was punched down by hand 2 times each day during macerations and fermentation. 100% whole cluster and 100% native fermentation. All individual wine components, including free run and press fractions, were kept separate until final blending. The wine had an elevage of 30 months in French Oak. The oak profile is 100% new French oak (predominantly from Troncais and Alliers). The wine achieved its sparkly brilliance from 2 judicious rackings, no fining agents were employed. The wine was very lightly filtered to capture any remaining lees. The alcohol is 14.34%, pH is 4.03, and the titratable acidity is 5.9 g/L.
CASES PRODUCED 144
VARIETALS 100% Syrah
APPELLATION Naravane Vineyard, Rocks District
REVIEWS
97 POINTS | OWEN BARGREEN
“A stunning wine from a tough vintage, this saw 100% whole cluster fermentation and all new French oak before bottling. Smoldering stones and tar notes combine with shades of Kalamata olive, bacon grease and shades of wild blackberry compote. This is one of the great wines made this vintage, showing insane flavor range from red cherry and seaweed, bulls blood, orange peel, pipe tobacco and shades of creosote. The weight, flavor range and finish is stunning. A remarkable achievement to enjoy now. Drink 2024-2034.”
97 POINTS | JEREMY YOUNG, INTERNATIONAL WINE REPORT
EDITOR’S CHOICE
“Sourced from the esteemed Naravane Vineyard in The Rocks District, the 2020 Rasa Veritas Sequitur is a striking expression of terroir. Deep garnet with a radiant crimson rim, this Syrah opens with an unmistakable aromatic intensity—notes of cracked black pepper, saline-kissed black olive brine, smoked meat, and dried lavender unfold alongside ripe blueberry and wild huckleberry. The palate is seamless and impeccably balanced, offering a harmonious interplay between its savory, meaty core and the richness of dark-toned fruit. Supple tannins glide effortlessly, while layers of blackberry compote, roasted herbs, and a touch of umami-laced bacon fat add further intrigue. The finish is long and resonant, echoing the wine’s smoky, earthy, and spice-driven complexity. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.”
95 POINTS | MICHAEL ALBERTY, WINE ENTHUSIAST
CELLAR SELECTION
“Savory, thy name is Veritas Sequitur. Your ripe blackberries are sandwiched by aromas of wet clay and pork fat in a most beguiling way. Then mulberry, cumin and barbecue pork flavors seal the deal. With crisp acidity and sturdy tannins, people will enjoy you from now until 2036 and possibly a bit longer. Hoc nectare profunde bibe.”
94 POINTS | ERIC GUIDO, VINOUS
“The 2020 Syrah Veritas Sequitur is intense, bursting from the glass with a blend of peppery rose, wet stones, sage and woodland berries. This contrasts ripe red and blue fruits with cooling acidity and crisp mineral tones that add a tactile crunch toward the close. The 2020 becomes quite spicy through the finish, as fine-grained tannins mingle with hints of clove and white pepper. Simply fantastic. The 2020 was refined using 60% whole clusters and 100% perfectly integrated new oak.”
LABEL STORY
The Naravane Vineyard is our estate vineyard located in The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA, a newly minted AVA that is already proving to be one of the best wine regions in the world.
In 2015, we planted three one-acre blocks, each to a different clone of Syrah. Block 1 is planted to the JP clone; Block 2 is planted to clone 7; and Block 3 is planted to clone 5. This wine is a beautifully integrated blend of all three clones.
Veritas Sequitur is Latin for “truth follows.” It is our belief that the truth in the wine follows from the truth in our soil.