Our 2023 Den Chôsta Syrah is a serious follow up to the inaugural 2022. A blend of Flocchini Vineyard (85%) in the Petaluma Gap and Saint Marks Vineyard (15%) in the Russian River Valley, it just screams Sonoma Coast Syrah. At just 11.5% alcohol and with delicate handling in the winery, it is so aromatic. The palate is soft and playful, which will make it the most versatile wine on your table as the seasons and dishes evolve towards the holidays.
Medium to dark garnet in color, this wine smells of blackberry, marijuana resin, and wet pavement. In the mouth, faintly salty flavors of blackberry and blueberry mix with green herbs and wet earth. Fleecy tannins coat the mouth and stiffen slightly with time. Very herbal. Not vegetal, but definitely herbal and savory. Excellent acidity. Fermented with 60% whole clusters and ambient yeasts and then aged for 10 months in neutral French oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 11.5% alcohol. 350 cases made. Score: between 8.5 and 9, Vinography, Alder Yarrow
Handcrafted, extraordinary, minimal-intervention wines for those who seek the best for themselves and their communities.
Darling Wines began in 2017 with two barrels of Syrah. Up to this point, Tom had worked just one harvest and was beginning his second when he and Ashley came across a listing of certified organic, cool-climate Syrah in the Petaluma Gap. After visiting the site, they decided to take a chance and figured at the very least they would have some decent home wine to send to family and friends for the holidays. This first wine, the 2017 McEvoy Ranch Syrah, sold out in mere months and ended up on the One-Star Michelin restaurant, Bouchon Bistro, in the Napa Valley, owned by the famed Thomas Keller. The two were thrilled, to say the least, and dove head first into this new endeavor.
Today, Darling Wines produces Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay sourced from coastal vineyards in western Sonoma County, Marin County, Anderson Valley, and Mendocino Ridge. The goal is to produce wines with character and energy that showcase purity and site through transparent winemaking. With this goal in mind there is minimal handling from grape to bottle, restrained use of sulphur; in most cases, no synthetic additives or perfecting agents, fining or filtration, in an attempt to produce the most honest wine possible.
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2023 Darling Family Wines Den Chôsta Syrah - $110 = 30.55%
The '22 offered here last April… different grape sources …and the '22 was listed as $36 srp, sold here for 3 pack $60 and case for $170. These grapes must’ve come from a little more hallowed ground. $60 srp and $90//$250
@kaolis you’re spot on here. The 2022 was blend of a couple sites between Sonoma and Mendocino Ridge. This 2023 is blend of RRV and Petaluma Gap; both organically farmed, family owned, low yielding; the good stuff!
I have to say, I got the 2022 vintage of this for much cheaper, $15/bottle, last time this was offered and hated the wine. There was an overwhelming balsamic character to it and very little of the black pepper and dark fruit typical of most syrahs. To calibrate, these are some Syrah producers I like: K Vintners, B. Leighton, Qupe, Cave de Tain Crozes-Hermitage. This wine was nothing like any of them. The previous rat who loved it mentioned he had actually drunk it chilled, and I have to say I agree, it was better chilled. But still not what I wanted! Some others speculated it was brett. contamination. I’m really not sure, but I am steering very clear of this offer!
@user48745965 thanks for the feedback! Always appreciate. For what it is worth, this is a very different wine than the 2022; this is very precise, clean and pretty. Has been featured by multiple Michelin starred restaurants and is just a joy to drink whether with food or on its own - hope you’ll give us another shot whether now or in the future! Cheers.
Short: buy if you enjoy elegant, cool climate syrahs. Reminded me of Halcon syrahs in so many ways! Insane QPR at the case price.
My apologies for the late post. Tasted at 56 degrees and feel the slight chill is perfect for this vino
Color: medium depth ruby color and clear
Aroma: powerful aromatics. I can smell it as I sit here typing this. I’m getting sweet blackberries, nutmeg, white pepper
Taste: the body is medium-light, tart, with medium tannins and perfectly balanced imo
I’m getting some type of purple flower-maybe lavender? Blackberries and some sticks but slightly so. Very pretty and light with so much going on.
Conclusion: this is the opposite of your big muscular California syrahs. No Paso Robles here. This is right in my wheelhouse: clean, crisp and elegant with fruit, stems and 11.5 alcohol!
I purchased a previous offer by Darling and was disappointed to say the least. I wasn’t expecting much when I opened the brown box but man was I wrong.
This is truly a beautiful wine that’s well made and worth every penny. I feel the msrp is on point tbh
Feel free to ask any questions I’ll have the bottle next to me for the next few hours
Thank you WD and the Casemates crew for this opportunity
thank you - love your descriptions. My goal is to make the more elegant, petty Syrahs of the world versus the more brooding type. And 2023 was such a long, cold vintage we got that full ripeness at just 11.5% abv! Nuts.
just subtle in my option - this wine is more about the pretty aromatics of Syrah. There’s savory notes for sure but it opens up after a few minutes and is floral, blue fruited, and has some of that pink peppercorn character. It’s honestly my favorite Syrah I have made in the last five years; just really pretty and delicate while having fullness and loads of Syrah character!
Looks like you’re new to the Vintner group here.
With apologies if you’re the owner, but do you mind introducing yourself and your position with Darling?
Day 2 of rattage. I saved roughly half of the bottle in the fridge. The enclosure was a CapaBunga (from the wine woot days!).
Temperature is 52 degrees
Nose is a bit more muted but still aromatic
The taste has changed quite a bit. Some of the fruit has faded and given way to what I would describe as leather and the body and mouthfeel have a sort of cocoa dustiness to them. The tartness has receded a bit and there is a bit more of the sticks/tumblweed thing going on. Still quite enjoyable
2023 Darling Den Chôsta Syrah, Sonoma Coast
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$720/Case for 12x 2023 Darling Den Chôsta Syrah, Sonoma Coast at Darling Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 23 - Tuesday, Mar 24
2023 Darling Family Wines Den Chôsta Syrah
3 bottles for $89.99 $30/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $249.99 $20.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
I got a case of the 2022 bottling, it has been fantastic.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2023 Darling Family Wines Den Chôsta Syrah - $110 = 30.55%
The '22 offered here last April… different grape sources …and the '22 was listed as $36 srp, sold here for 3 pack $60 and case for $170. These grapes must’ve come from a little more hallowed ground. $60 srp and $90//$250
@kaolis you’re spot on here. The 2022 was blend of a couple sites between Sonoma and Mendocino Ridge. This 2023 is blend of RRV and Petaluma Gap; both organically farmed, family owned, low yielding; the good stuff!
I’m ratting this bottle later today
@losthighwayz I thought you were banned? Did they block your rattage?
@kaolis lol yeah thought the same
I have to say, I got the 2022 vintage of this for much cheaper, $15/bottle, last time this was offered and hated the wine. There was an overwhelming balsamic character to it and very little of the black pepper and dark fruit typical of most syrahs. To calibrate, these are some Syrah producers I like: K Vintners, B. Leighton, Qupe, Cave de Tain Crozes-Hermitage. This wine was nothing like any of them. The previous rat who loved it mentioned he had actually drunk it chilled, and I have to say I agree, it was better chilled. But still not what I wanted! Some others speculated it was brett. contamination. I’m really not sure, but I am steering very clear of this offer!
@user48745965 thanks for the feedback! Always appreciate. For what it is worth, this is a very different wine than the 2022; this is very precise, clean and pretty. Has been featured by multiple Michelin starred restaurants and is just a joy to drink whether with food or on its own - hope you’ll give us another shot whether now or in the future! Cheers.
2023 Darling Syrah Den Chosta
Short: buy if you enjoy elegant, cool climate syrahs. Reminded me of Halcon syrahs in so many ways! Insane QPR at the case price.
My apologies for the late post. Tasted at 56 degrees and feel the slight chill is perfect for this vino
Color: medium depth ruby color and clear
Aroma: powerful aromatics. I can smell it as I sit here typing this. I’m getting sweet blackberries, nutmeg, white pepper
Taste: the body is medium-light, tart, with medium tannins and perfectly balanced imo
I’m getting some type of purple flower-maybe lavender? Blackberries and some sticks but slightly so. Very pretty and light with so much going on.
Conclusion: this is the opposite of your big muscular California syrahs. No Paso Robles here. This is right in my wheelhouse: clean, crisp and elegant with fruit, stems and 11.5 alcohol!
I purchased a previous offer by Darling and was disappointed to say the least. I wasn’t expecting much when I opened the brown box but man was I wrong.
This is truly a beautiful wine that’s well made and worth every penny. I feel the msrp is on point tbh
Feel free to ask any questions I’ll have the bottle next to me for the next few hours
Thank you WD and the Casemates crew for this opportunity
@losthighwayz
thank you - love your descriptions. My goal is to make the more elegant, petty Syrahs of the world versus the more brooding type. And 2023 was such a long, cold vintage we got that full ripeness at just 11.5% abv! Nuts.
What about the resin and the wet pavement? Was it over the top resin and pavement, or subtle?
@FOMOhoarder
just subtle in my option - this wine is more about the pretty aromatics of Syrah. There’s savory notes for sure but it opens up after a few minutes and is floral, blue fruited, and has some of that pink peppercorn character. It’s honestly my favorite Syrah I have made in the last five years; just really pretty and delicate while having fullness and loads of Syrah character!
@FOMOhoarder @tomdarlingwines I’ve cut down on my vices, no spring chicken here, but that marijuana resin may just draw me in!
@kaolis @tomdarlingwines
Same here!
Anyone want to sgare a case? Boston/So.NH area
@tomdarlingwines
Looks like you’re new to the Vintner group here.
With apologies if you’re the owner, but do you mind introducing yourself and your position with Darling?
@rjquillin yes - Tom Darling, Owner / Winemaker for Darling Wines!
@tomdarlingwines
badge to help identify you with the winery.
You now have a
Welcome
@rjquillin thank you!
In Kansas and willing to split a case.
Day 2 of rattage. I saved roughly half of the bottle in the fridge. The enclosure was a CapaBunga (from the wine woot days!).
Temperature is 52 degrees
Nose is a bit more muted but still aromatic
The taste has changed quite a bit. Some of the fruit has faded and given way to what I would describe as leather and the body and mouthfeel have a sort of cocoa dustiness to them. The tartness has receded a bit and there is a bit more of the sticks/tumblweed thing going on. Still quite enjoyable