2022 Syrah The Funk | Saviah Cellars

2022 THE FUNK Estate Syrah

Appellation

Walla Walla Valley
The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater

Vineyard

Funk Estate Vineyard, located on the apex of the alluvial fan that makes up The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, is distinguished by alluvial soils, consisting of basalt pebbles, cobbles and boulders washed from the Blue Mountains.

This very special site contains everything necessary to grow vineyard-designate wines with a strong sense of place: cobbly soils, ideal elevation, gentle sloping aspect, precision water control, meticulous canopy management, and a warm, but not too hot macroclimate.

Funk Estate Vineyard is certified LIVE and Salmon Safe. LIVE certification assures that this wine was crafted with the most advanced standards for sustainable grape growing and winemaking.

Harvest Notes

October 5 and October 10, 2022

Funk Estate Vineyard
4ft x 10ft spacing, 1089 vines per acre, GDC trellis
Planted in 2007
Certified LIVE and Salmon Safe

The 2022 vintage was remarkable with multiple extreme events. It was quite a sight to see the wind machines running with snow falling at bud break. The temperatures hovered just above freezing and we experienced no damage to the tender green buds. This was followed by an unusually cool spring, which resulted in a delay to bloom. In addition, we experienced more precipitation than normal, causing the vines to grow with vigor. Summer was hot, with multiple triple digit days. Thankfully, a miraculous October, the warmest on record, allowed us to make up for the slow start to the growing season and perfectly ripen the fruit. Mother nature sure loves a good roller coaster!

Fermentation

33% whole cluster and partially destemmed Syrah, co-fermented with 4% whole cluster Viognier.

Aging

18 months in 500-liter French oak puncheons. 40% New.

Sensory Notes
The 2022 Funk Estate Syrah carries forward the legacy of this renowned site with a wine of profound depth and elegance. Its deep, inky color hints at the richness within. On the nose, it bursts with hallmark aromas from The Rocks, featuring layers of roasted game, soy sauce, black licorice, cracked pepper, cardamom spice, and supple leather, accented by floral hints of violets. The palate is equally captivating, offering complex flavors of ripe blackberries, juicy marionberries, briny Kalamata olives, and bittersweet cocoa nibs, complemented by a subtle touch of blood orange zest. The mouthfeel is luxurious, showcasing a velvety, polished texture that glides effortlessly across the palate. The finish is long and opulent, leaving a lasting impression of the signature profile of The Rocks District terroir.

Drink 2026-2042.

Reviews

97 Points – Paul Gregutt:
“A streak of espresso rips across this compact, complex Syrah, dense with black fruits, espresso, black olive and anise, and underscored with light, lemony acids. The flavors penetrate and stay focused, deepening though a long finish. I’d put this among the top five Rocks District Syrahs year in and year out.“

96 Points and #34 on Top 100 of the Year – Owen Bargreen:
“Another world-class release, the 2022 Saviah ‘The Funk Estate Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this slightly cooler year in The Rocks District. This edition has 4% Viognier blended in. The beautiful white florals from the Viognier are singing now as wet rock and prosciutto aromatics combine with red currants, orange peel and shades of smoked brisket. The palate is fresh and lithe with a smooth mouthfeel and generous sense of weight. A total stunner, this is amongst the finest editions of this wine from Saviah that I have tasted.“

94 Points – Eric Guido, Vinous:
“The 2022 Syrah The Funk Estate is youthfully coy and backward, as sweet herbal tones, crushed violets and hints of exotic spice come forward with coaxing. This is a dark and radiant beast with velvety textures lifted by racy acidity. Mineral-drenched red and blue fruits coast across the palate, taking on a savory thrust of rosemary and sage. The 2022 resonates with youthful tension–spicy, long and potent–leaving a salty flourish as blue and purple inner florals resonate. Bury this in the cellar. It’s a classic in the making.“

94 Points – Sean Sullivan:
“Saviah consistently produces some of the most compelling wines coming out of the Rocks District. This is another example. Blended with 4% Viognier and aged 18 months in 500L French oak puncheons (40% new), the aromas pop, with piercingly pure notes of blueberry, tangerine essence, white flower, and smoked meat, showing pleasing delineation. The fruit and savory flavors are lush and intense, coating the palate from end to end. The finish sticks around for a full 30 seconds. It’s obscenely good.”

THE FUNK Estate Syrah
A History of Excellence

2014
94 Points | Wine Enthusiast
94 Points | Wine Spectator

2013
94 Points | Wine Enthusiast
94 Points | Wine Spectator