Cline Syrah

Cline Syrah is a 100% Syrah from Sonoma County, California, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from cool-climate vineyards across the Los Carneros and Petaluma Gap appellations, this wine draws its character from maritime fog and Pacific breezes that preserve acidity and develop concentrated dark fruit. The 2017 vintage earned a Silver medal at the Sommeliers Choice Awards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  100% Syrah  |  Winery: Cline Cellars

Production & Heritage

Cline Cellars, founded in 1982 by Fred Cline in Contra Costa County, eventually expanded its estate vineyards into Sonoma County's prized Los Carneros and Petaluma Gap regions. The Syrah is fermented as a single varietal and aged in French oak barrels with medium toast, using approximately 40% new oak to build structure without overwhelming the fruit. The vineyards sit on hillside terrain where morning fog and afternoon breezes off the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay slow ripening, yielding grapes with both depth and freshness — a hallmark of cool-climate Syrah production in Northern California.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright cherry and raspberry before shifting into darker territory — black fig, espresso bean, and turned earth emerge with time in the glass. A thread of toasted oak ties the aromatics together.

Taste: The palate enters with blackberry and cassis, building through a mid-palate layered with spiced plum, candied orange peel, and sassafras. Black pepper and star anise sharpen toward the peak, supported by firm, grippy tannins and a bracing streak of acidity that keeps the fruit honest.

Finish: The finish is dry and moderately long, with lingering wood smoke, olive, and a dusting of tobacco. Tannins remain present but smooth out gradually, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Cline Syrah

This Syrah rewards a slight chill — around 60–65°F — served in a large-bowled glass to let the aromatics open fully. Neat is the primary recommendation, though a small ice cube or brief decant softens the tannins for those who prefer a rounder mouthfeel.

In cocktails and wine-based drinks, this Syrah's bold profile holds up well. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) plays off the wine's existing cola and sassafras notes. A Red Wine Sangria benefits from the dark fruit and spice base, pairing naturally with citrus and brandy. A classic Mulled Wine preparation highlights the star anise and peppery spice already present in the glass.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners built around grilled or braised red meats
• Introducing someone to cool-climate California Syrah
• Building a side-by-side tasting of Syrah versus Australian Shiraz
• Stocking a versatile, food-friendly everyday red

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cline Syrah taste like? Cline Syrah leads with dark fruit — blackberry, cherry, and cassis — followed by black pepper, star anise, and wood smoke. Firm tannins and bright acidity give it a dry, structured finish.

How does Cline Syrah compare to Australian Shiraz? Cline Syrah is a cool-climate expression that emphasizes acidity, peppery spice, and earthy complexity, while most mainstream Australian Shiraz tends toward riper, jammier fruit with more pronounced oak sweetness. The Cline reads closer to a Northern Rhône sensibility than a warm-climate Barossa style.

Is Cline Syrah good for sipping neat? Yes — the layered aromatics and balanced tannin structure reward careful attention on their own. A 20-minute decant helps open the darker, earthier notes.

Where is Cline Syrah made? Cline Syrah is produced by Cline Cellars, with vineyards in the Los Carneros and Petaluma Gap appellations of Sonoma County, California. These areas are defined by maritime influence from the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay.

What foods pair well with Cline Syrah? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's peppery spice. Beef short ribs braised in red wine mirror its dark fruit depth. Aged cheddar or Gruyère contrast the tannin grip. Roasted eggplant with harissa echoes the smoky, savory undertones. Charcuterie with cured sausage picks up the olive and herb nuances.

What sizes does Cline Syrah come in? Cline Syrah is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Cline Syrah worth the price? Cline Syrah positions as an approachable, value-tier Sonoma County red that delivers vineyard-specific character and French oak aging at a price point well below most single-appellation Syrahs from the region. Consistent Wine-Searcher aggregate scores in the 87–89 range across multiple vintages reinforce its reliability as a quality everyday wine.

Why Cline Syrah?

What distinguishes this bottling is its cool-climate origin in two of Sonoma County's most respected appellations for temperature-sensitive varietals. The 40% new French oak aging regime at medium toast adds structure and a smoky complexity without burying the fruit, a balance many wines at this price tier miss. Across recent vintages, critic aggregates have remained steady in the high 80s, suggesting consistent winemaking rather than vintage-dependent spikes. For anyone exploring the spectrum between peppery, restrained Rhône-style Syrah and fruit-forward New World Shiraz, Cline Syrah sits squarely in the middle — distinctly Californian, but shaped by a cooler hand.