Ratings & Tasting Notes:

94 points Jeb Dunnuck

Cult Wines International Notes:

Gemini said
Lewis Cellars was founded in 1992 by former IndyCar driver Randy Lewis and his wife Debbie, bringing a high-performance, competitive spirit to the artisanal world of Napa Valley winemaking. Randy’s transition from the racetrack to the cellar was fueled by a 23-year racing career and a deep appreciation for the bold wines he encountered while competing in Europe. Over three decades, the winery established a “cult-like” following for its unapologetically opulent and “sexy” style, a reputation that reached its zenith in 2016 when the estate’s Cabernet was named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year. In 2021, the winery entered a new era after being acquired by The Wonderful Company. This transition has provided the winemaking team—still led by longtime veterans like Dennis Bell and winemaker Jordan Jeffries—with expanded resources, including the acquisition of estate vineyards in Calistoga and Conn Valley to complement their historic grower relationships.

The 2022 vintage is frequently described as the “tale of two harvests,” defined by a dramatic climatic shift that demanded extreme precision in the cellar. The season began with a mild spring and a temperate summer that encouraged healthy canopy growth and balanced fruit development. However, the trajectory changed abruptly in early September with a historic five-day heatwave that saw temperatures shatter records across the valley. For a variety like Syrah, which is prone to rapid sugar accumulation, the timing was critical; Lewis Cellars relied on their signature “long hang time” philosophy and meticulous barrel selection to manage the intensity of the fruit. By utilizing the cooler weather that followed in October, the winery was able to produce a 2022 Syrah that captures the hallmark “brute” power and dark, concentrated aromatics of the vintage while maintaining the polished balance and structural integration that have defined the brand’s legacy for over thirty years.

Bottle Size:

750 mL

Storage History:

Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.

Condition:

Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.

Outstanding condition.