Winemaker Notes
Hocus Pocus Syrah is always a blend of a few different sites from throughout Santa Barbara County. The 2016 wine is comprised of grapes grown at Presqui'le Vineyard (60%) in the southwestern corner of Santa Maria Valley and Sebastiano Vineyard (40%) in Sta Rita Hills. Heavier clay/rocky soils at Sebastiano add weight to the blend while the very sandy soils at Presqu'ile add spice and aromatics. Both vineyards are certified SIP Sustainable. Our goal each vintage to create a high-quality Syrah that is focused on fruit, texture and the freshness you find in cool-climate Syrah.
Professional Ratings
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2016 Black Sheep Finds Holus-Bolus Syrah exhibits beautiful ripe fruit and exemplary structure. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows excellent ripe fruit in its aromas and flavors. Its finish is lively and bright should pair it well with an oven-baked, well-seasoned pork tenderloin. (Tasted: February 5, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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.