Winemaker Notes
Sourced from a small block at John Sebastiano Vineyard in eastern Sta. Rita Hills. This block is planted without rootstock and the clonal material was "suitcased" in from France many years ago. These vines grow on their "French feet" hence the name Franc De Pied. Loads of savory and meaty notes are mixed in with a dark fruit profile and excellent texture.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Rare-grilled meat and black-raspberry coulis have a salty character, the combination bringing strength and energy. The richness of the palate finishes with a green-olive flavor that stretches out with grippy, precise tannins. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The 2023 Syrah Franc de Pied is fabulous. Sourced from John Sebastiano, it's a bold, robust red with resonant purple berry fruit, wild underbrush and peppery complexity. The textures here are deeply concentrated and saturating, with a real natural sweetness to the tannin. The Franc de Pied impresses most for its crystalline purity. Bravo.
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Wine Enthusiast
This cool-climate Syrah never fails to push some boundaries, though this vintage is not so extreme. Aromas of singed herb, crushed asphalt, seaweed and tart black plum arise on the nose. The palate pairs black plum with sansho pepper and mossy seashore flavors. — Matt Kettmann
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.