Winemaker Notes
The delicate, elevated aromatics of white pepper, lavender, and violets intertwine with the savory components of olive brine and cured meat (think Jamón Ibérico), unmistakably signaling cold climate. The texture is vibrant with a smooth and silky nature that leaves you craving more
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The funky cool-climate components of seaweed, olive tapenade and turned soil meet with tar and dark berry on the nose of this bottling. Zesty acidify cuts through the palate's raw lamb, squid ink and green herb flavors, with underripe plum and berry adding fruit elements.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Reminding me of a top Saint Joseph, the 2020 Syrah Sta. Rita Hills offers lots of black and blue fruits, notes of peppery herbs, medium body, juicy acidity, and a balanced, age-worthy style. Seeing 40% whole clusters and neutral wood, it will evolve for a decade.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby, the 2020 Syrah Estate has layered, broody aromas of blackcurrants, menthol, dried earth, pipe tobacco and graphite. The palate is firm and earthy, with flavors of mushroom and tobacco lingering on the finish.
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Wine & Spirits
A darker wine than Donna’s Block (also recommended here), this syrah has fruit flavors more in the realm of fig and blackberry, with an olive-skin grip and savor that draws against their richness. It’s for drinking now with lamb koftas.
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.”
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.