Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
From the winery's new estate vineyard named after the Prince album, this bottling shows plenty of green peppercorn, green olive and singed tobacco on the nose alongside cracked black pepper, lamb crust and muddy hole. The savory display on the palate is real, ranging from Kalamata olive to underripe blackberry. More vine age will boost texture.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Syrah The Joy Fantastic checks in as 100% varietal that was 75% destemmed and spent 14 months in 2- to 3-year-old barrels. This vivid purple/plum-colored effort has plenty of blueberry and plum fruits that are lifted by subtle pepper and stemmy notes. Medium-bodied, elegant, nicely textured, and concentrated, it's very much in the style of the vintage and will benefit from a year in bottle and keep for 7-8 years.
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.