Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Roasted Slope is a dead ringer for a high-end Cote-Rotie with aromas and flavors of black cherry, mixed berry pie, cocoa, toasty French Oak, roasted tomato, white flowers, honey, and peach. The aroma alone really takes you on a journey. The wine is a very dark, brooding red/black with ripe, sweet tannins and a very velvety mouthfeel and a long finish balanced by natural acidity. This wine will start to sing in about 5 years and improve for a decade or more.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2021 Roasted Slope is incredibly polished and elegant. Silky and perfumed, with gorgeous presence, the 2021 is impressive right out of the gate. Crushed flowers, mint, blood orange, red-toned fruit and rose petal are beautifully delineated in this vibrant, mid-weight Syrah. Give the tannins time to soften.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Co-fermented with 8% Viognier, the 2021 Syrah Roasted Slope has a classic nose of ripe blackberry fruits, pepper, vibrant floral nuances, and iron. Medium-bodied on the palate, it shows the slightly cooler style of the vintage, with nicely integrated acidity, fine tannins, and outstanding length. Rating: 94+
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.”
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.