Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This Syrah blend from the Watch Hill and Black Oak vineyards is intense and brooding while still fresh, starting with aromas of iodine, loamy soil, dark fruit and violet. A zippy acidity runs through the palate, which is focused on açai and grape flavors at first before more complex waves of licorice and star anise arise.
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Vinous
The 2019 Syrah Santa Barbara County is soft, fruity and very easy to like. Bright floral notes lift a core of red/purplish berry fruit. Medium in body and refreshing, the 2019 has a lot to offer. The County Syrah is built along the lines of a cool year, which means the wine is a bit linear and nervy in feel.
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Wine Spectator
Talk about bang for your buck. This Syrah is jammed with all the best of the region: structure and polish with tiers of pretty blueberry and dried cherry flavors, laced with hints of bacon and cracked pepper. Drink now through 2029.
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.”
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.