Winemaker Notes
The 2018 Margerum Estate Vineyard Syrah is a dark opaque and black hued color. The nose is characterized by an explosion of deep red fruit aromas with hints of wood briar patch. The palate is full bodied and refined, rich, with blueberry and dried fruits. Concentrated juicy mid palate encompassed by cola and sweet fruit. Complex integrated tannins complete the framework. The density, texture and depth of this wine are a testament to the quality of the vineyard. The finish is long and lingering with appealing notes coffee and vanilla.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Lastly, the 2018 Syrah Margerum Estates Vineyards includes a splash of Viognier, was only 40% destemmed, and spent 10 months in 55% new French oak. This smoky, meaty, dark-fruited effort gives up beautiful blackberry, scorched earth, ground pepper, and mineral-driven aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, stunning purity, building tannins, and a great, great finish, it's another head-turning Syrah from Margerum I'd be happy to drink.
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Wine Enthusiast
There's a spicy core of black pepper on the nose of this bottling along with taut fruit tones of wid cranberry and elderberry. The palate is loaded with acid and tightly woven in texture, delivering flavors of crumpled lavender, crisp black raspberry, Dr Pepper spice and an incredibly enlivening cracked pepper streak.
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Vinous
The 2018 Syrah Margerum Estate Vineyard is lush, forward and absolutely delicious. A whole range of earthy and savory notes give the 2018 its distinctive personality. Licorice, dried herbs, menthol, chocolate and purplish/black fruit all flesh out in an inviting, lush Syrah loaded with personality. The Margerum Estate is the most plush and overtly ripe of the three Syrahs.
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.”
Today it is an integral part of the greater Santa Barbara County wine region, but at one time the village, Los Olivos, was a stop on the Wells Fargo stagecoach line.