Winemaker Notes
Blend: 97% Syrah, 3% Viognier
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Syrah Ballard Canyon, which was cofermented with 3% Viognier, is also flat out great. Black raspberry, crushed violets, potpourri and pepper all flow to a full-bodied, elegant, silky, finely polished, yet concentrated Syrah that has no hard edges and a great finish.
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Vinous
Over the last year, Kimsey's 2014 Syrah has become much more polished and finessed. There is no shortage of inky blue/purplish fruit or the breadth that is typical of wines from this site, and yet time has been extremely beneficial in helping the wine find its center. Scents of chocolate, plum, spice and licorice give the 2014 much of its complexity and intrigue. This is another unqualified success from the team at Kimsey. A dollop of Viognier adds freshness.
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Wine Enthusiast
Roasted coffee, charred lamb, dried plums, purple flowers and a touch of tar show on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard at the southern edge of the appellation, where it picks up a tad more coastal influence. After a soft entry to the palate with rustic cocoa and more coffee flavors, an exotic plum flavor takes over, proving a great balance between ripe and sour.
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.”
Accounting for only ten percent of the greater Santa Ynez AVA, Ballard Canyon’s north-south orientation provides an ideal pattern of sunshine and martime fog for producing excellent Syrah. While Syrah is planted to half of the total AVA acreage, an additional third is dedicated to other Rhône varieties, red and white.