Jaffurs Upslope Syrah 2008
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Robert
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Syrah Upslope (which Greg Jaffurs describes as selected barrels from his favorite vineyards) is slightly more restrained than the Bien Nacido, with more obvious structure. The wine smells almost like Syrah blood. Dense ruby/purple, super-rich, it is slightly more velvety-textured than the Bien Nacido. Both sweetness and tannins are present in this seductive wine, which is full-bodied and rich, with loads of black fruits, earth, spice, camphor, and floral notes. It is a brilliant Syrah, but at present, I give the Bien Nacido a slight edge. This is certainly a beautiful wine, and should anyone have the chance to buy it, "Don’t think twice." Flawless, seamless, with brilliant sweet blackberry and cassis fruit, this is a beauty to drink over the next 10-15+ years.
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Wine Spectator
Sleek and focused, with a complex, layered mix of spice, dried berry, hazelnut, fresh earth and floral, peppery scents. Full-bodied, intense and concentrated, this is notable for its finesse and refinement. Drink now through 2020.
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Wine Enthusiast
This best barrels blend of all Jaffur's Syrahs combines charming drinkability with some ageability. It's vast and deep in blackberries, cassis and dark chocolate, but firm in tannins, framing delicious fruit in a sturdy structure. With a dry finish, it will provide good drinking over the next six years.
Other Vintages
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James
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Spectator
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Robert
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Spectator
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
The largest and perhaps most varied of California’s wine-growing regions, the Central Coast produces a good majority of the state's wine. This vast California wine district stretches from San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara along the coast, and reaches inland nearly all the way to the Central Valley.
Encompassing an extremely diverse array of climates, soil types and wine styles, it contains many smaller sub-AVAs, including San Francisco Bay, Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley.
While the Central Coast California wine region could probably support almost any major grape varietiy, it is famous for a few Central Coast reds and whites. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are among the major ones. The Central Coast is home to many of the state's small, artisanal wineries crafting unique, high-quality wines, as well as larger producers also making exceptional wines.