2018 The Source

 

For those of you who know Varinder, you know Syrah is his absolute jam. He is extremely passionate about all that this varietal can present in the bottle. A student of Syrah, Varinder spends a terrifying number of man-hours analyzing each lot of Syrah we take in. That effort shines in this year’s Source. It’s almost entirely Syrah and absolutely enthralling. The nose is dominated by black and blue fruit, hints of bacon fat, daffodils, and hyacinths. It’s lush on the palate with a spice box element, a hint of cocoa, refined tannins and a great backbone of acidity. Fuller-bodied, it harkens to the Northern Rhône in its savoriness, but its pedigree is Central Coast through and through. 

 

Fermented in stainless steel. Aged 20 months in 56% new French oak.
97% Jespersen Ranch, Edna Valley, 3% Sorso Vineyard, Paso Robles Willow Creek District

 

95 pts, Vinous | "Shimmering purple. Vibrant black/blue fruit, incense and potpourri qualities on the assertively perfumed nose, which takes on exotic spice, vanilla and candied licorice flourishes with air. Palate-staining, finely detailed cassis, bitter cherry, dark chocolate, allspice and violet pastille flavors show a deft blend of heft and finesse. The floral and spice notes echo on an extremely long, penetrating finish that's shaped by polished, harmonious tannins. 56% new French oak." - Josh Raynolds

 

93 pts, Wine Enthusiast | "Cocoa dust, hints of caramel and lush black cherry meet with hints of tar and asphalt on the nose of this bottling, which includes 3% Grenache. Soft, polished tannins frame the smoky cassis and black-plum core of the sip, with more savory notes of roasted fig on the fringes." - Matt Kettmann

 

93 pts, Jeb Dunnuck | "The Syrah-dominated 2018 The Source (there's 3% Grenache) is another cool-climate inspired wine from this estate that has lots of classic peppery herbs, game, and leather notes yet bring solid ripe fruit on the palate. Balanced, textured, and certainly delicious, drink it over the coming 7-8 years."

 

91 pts, Connoisseurs' Guide | The distinctive, slightly gamy aspects of Syrah get a nice bit of play here as do complexing adjuncts of dark coffee to this one’s very steady, moderately deep themes of ripe blackberries, and, if a fairly fleshy, full-bodied wine, Copia’s The Source never strays into tannic toughness and boasts a very long finish that is firmed by temperate, well-managed tannins. It will age without effort for a half-dozen years, but its appealing palatal suppleness will stand it in good stead with dinner tonight if something rich and meaty is on the menu. 

 

Varietals were handpicked in October and November at the peak of flavor ripeness and phenolic maturity. Grapes were carefully cluster sorted, 100% destemmed and fermented in stainless steel. After a cold maceration, élevage included daily punch-downs, pump-overs and pneumotage. The wine rested for 20 months 56% new French oak. Bottled on June 23, 2020.