Winemaker Notes
Blend: 94% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah, 2% Viognier
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Lastly, the 2020 Syrah (94% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah, and 2% Viognier) is also brilliant, and the quality at this estate is certainly noteworthy. Deep purple-hued, with blue fruits, cracked pepper, and violet notes, it's medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful on the palate, with building tannins and a great finish.
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Vinous
The 2020 Syrah is remarkably elegant for such a big wine. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, licorice, menthol and dried herbs all build effortlessly. Even with all of its intensity, the 2020 remains fresh, aromatically deep and vibrant. Kimsey is a special site for Syrah, as the 2020 once again makes abundantly clear.
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.