Mesa del Sol Syrah 2022
Mesa del Sol Syrah 2022
Arroyo Seco, Central Coast, California
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Tasting Notes
The 2022 Mesa del Sol Syrah opens with a deep, expressive nose layered in blackberry jam, ripe black cherry, dark plum, and boysenberry. As it opens in the glass, more nuanced aromatics unfurl—bright cherry, a whisper of camphor, and spice notes like allspice and black cardamom that give the wine a lifted, aromatic warmth.
On the palate, this Syrah is big, mouth-filling, and richly textured, balancing dark, concentrated fruit with savory complexity. Waves of blackberry compote, acai berry, and plum sauce unfold first, followed by a subtle but compelling meaty edge—hints of leather, cured meat, and a touch of smoke that speak to both the grape variety and the vineyard’s coastal influence.
Herbal details add freshness to the richness: a gentle herbes de Provence lift, soft dried herbs, and a floral thread of lavender. A crack of black pepper and a savory, smoky undertone carry through the long finish, making this Syrah feel both powerful and polished.
Overall, this is a bold, aromatic, fruit-driven Syrah that also showcases the savory, cool-climate character Monterey is known for—lush, layered, and incredibly food-friendly. -
Story
Perched on a rugged ridge in the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County, California, Mesa del Sol is a vineyard with a story as layered and compelling as the wines it produces. The property originally served as a stagecoach stop in the late 1800s, offering weary travelers a place to rest as they traversed the steep, mountainous terrain. Later, it transformed into a health retreat, capitalizing on the clean, coastal air and dramatic vistas of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Today, the estate continues to honor its roots, combining history, place, and a respect for the land in every decision.
Mesa del Sol’s founders embraced sustainable and low-intervention farming practices early on, carefully tending vines that thrive in the cool, wind-swept Arroyo Seco canyon. The estate’s combination of high elevation, sloping terrain, and proximity to the Pacific Ocean creates a unique microclimate, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and evenly while maintaining their natural acidity and flavor complexity.
Central to the modern story of Mesa del Sol is winemaker Tyler Russell. Known for his experience across California’s Central Coast and his deep respect for terroir, Russell brings both creativity and precision to the estate. He champions the character of the land, letting the vineyard’s natural qualities shine while guiding the wines with subtle, thoughtful interventions. His vision ensures that each bottle is not just a reflection of a vintage, but a testament to the estate’s history and personality.
Mesa del Sol is more than a vineyard—it’s a place where history, landscape, and human passion converge. Visitors, wine lovers, and collectors alike can appreciate the care, story, and sense of place behind every bottle, making the estate as memorable as the wines it produces.
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Somm Notes
Accolades:
94 points Wine Enthusiast
Pure aromas of black plum and boysenberry pair with star anise on the nose of this rich bottling from a unique vineyard near the mouth of the Arroyo Seco canyon. Chalky but polished tannins weave through the palate, where fig, roasted apple and dark berry flavors meet with chai spice. A blast of acidity levels the finish. — Matt Kettmann
Tyler Russell didn’t grow up surrounded by barrels and vine rows—his wine journey began in a wine shop in upstate New York, hauling crates and chatting with curious customers. It was there he realized: wine isn’t just a drink—it’s a story of place, time, and people. That lightbulb moment sent him west to California’s Central Coast, where he rolled up his sleeves in cellar work, learned vineyard craft, and discovered his voice as a winemaker.
After gaining hands‑on experience at respected estates like Justin Vineyards & Winery, Zenaida Cellars and Calcareous Vineyards, Tyler founded his own label, Nelle Wines, in 2008.
In 2014 he partnered with entrepreneur David Taylor to launch Cordant Winery—a signature Central Coast label focused on Rhône varietals, Pinot Noir and vineyard‑driven wines.
His approach? “Let the vineyard speak.” Tyler specializes in small‑lot, terroir‑driven wines, sourcing from premium sites across the Central Coast and prioritizing finesse over weight.
His wines have garnered critical attention, with scores of 94+ points for his 2019 Cordant & Nelle releases.
At Mesa del Sol Vineyards, Tyler now brings this same commitment to crafting wines that feel alive, balanced and expressive. With the estate’s cool mountain ridge site in Arroyo Seco and his intuitive, lightly‑intervened winemaking style, he creates bottles that are approachable yet layered—perfect for both everyday moments and memorable gifts.
I met Tyler back in 2018 at his (then) winery in Tin City, he strikes you more as a guy who works at a brewery, than one that works in a winery. Clad in a blue sweatshirt a full beard and shoulder length hair, he was slinging wine and selecting songs to listen to - he has an extensive vinyl collection. It was apparent that for Tyler, wine is art, it's all encompassing and interpreted in different ways by the winemaker and by the consumer. I'll never forget one thing that he said to me while visiting, I said - I have so many bottles that I'm saving for special ocassions. He responded by - Open that bottle. Instead of waiting for that one special ocassion, make the wine the ocassion. Make a random Tuesday night special by opening that bottle. Essentially a reminder that life's too short to not enjoy it. -
Region
Arroyo Seco is a hidden gem of California’s Central Coast, quietly gaining recognition for the distinctive character it imparts to the wines grown here. Located in Monterey County, the appellation stretches from rugged mountain ridges down to the Salinas River Valley, encompassing steep slopes, narrow canyons, and sweeping valley floors. This dramatic terrain, combined with its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, creates a microclimate that is both cool and breezy, with temperatures moderated by the constant coastal influence.
The region’s soils are as varied as its landscape. Decomposed granite, sand, and limestone dominate, often interspersed with alluvial deposits along valley floors. These soils provide excellent drainage, encouraging deep root systems and naturally limiting vine vigor, which results in concentrated, expressive fruit. The rocky, mineral-rich ground also imparts subtle layers of complexity to the wines, giving them a structural backbone and a sense of place that is uniquely Arroyo Seco.
Arroyo Seco’s climate is characterized by long, slow ripening seasons. Cool morning fogs and afternoon breezes help preserve natural acidity while allowing grapes to develop rich aromatics and layered flavors. This temperate yet dynamic environment supports a diverse array of varietals, from structured reds to vibrant whites, each reflecting the terroir’s intensity and finesse.
While it remains less famous than neighboring regions like Paso Robles or Napa Valley, Arroyo Seco rewards those willing to explore its vineyards. The combination of steep, sun-drenched hillsides, consistent airflow, and mineral-rich soils creates wines that are expressive, balanced, and nuanced. It is a region that speaks to the careful attention of growers and the natural gifts of the land—a place where the character of the vineyard shines through in every bottle.
Arroyo Seco’s cool-climate conditions have a profound influence on Syrah, shaping it into a style that balances richness with elegance. The vineyard winds that funnel through the Salinas Valley slow ripening, allowing Syrah to develop deep color, concentrated dark fruit, and layered aromatics without becoming overly jammy or high in alcohol. The dramatic day–night temperature swings preserve natural acidity, giving the wine its freshness, lift, and spice-driven complexity. Meanwhile, the region’s rocky, well-drained soils stress the vines just enough to enhance intensity, bringing out Syrah’s savory side—black pepper, dried herbs, smoke, and cured meat notes that are signatures of cool-coastal expressions. The result is a Syrah that’s bold yet balanced, fruit-forward yet nuanced, and unmistakably shaped by Arroyo Seco’s unique maritime influence.