There’s no shame in admitting you haven’t heard of Halcón before. This rising star of a cult producer from the Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino County (Mendo to locals) in Northern Cali lays claim to the highest-altitude vineyard in the region. The wind-lashed mountainous plot contains densely-planted vines grown in the same type of ancient shist soils that are found in Cote-Rôtie. Paul and Jackie Gordon, the team behind Halcón, are making arguably the closest thing to Rhône-style reds (and a bit of pinot noir) that can be found in North America (and doing it organically). These are rare wines that will reset your understanding of how much balance, nuance and complexity can come out of California wines. 

Alturas syrah incorporates 4% viognier into its ferment with 50% whole bunch clusters. The wine then only sees older French oak, letting the fruit speak for itself. Jeb Dunnuck’s stellar review below does a wonderful job of describing the wine.