Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Lastly, the 2013 Syrah Uber comes from five separate vineyards: Black Oak, Colson Canyon, Purisima, Great Oak Ranch and John Sebastiano. The grapes from each vineyard are brought into the winery and 5% is separated and added to the ongoing fermentation, so the overall maceration time is upwards of a month or more. Matured 20 months in 50% new French oak, it has classic cool climate Cali notes of black pepper, crushed rocks, black and blue fruits and hints of flowers to go with a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, lively, even structured, profile on the palate. This beautiful Syrah will benefit from short term cellaring and drink nicely through 2025.
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Wine Enthusiast
Heaps of crushed black pepper meet with fresh and caramelized boysenberry fruit and beef char on the nose of this wine by Doug Margerum, who co-ferments his most hopeful lots from around the county into this annual blend. The cracked pepper shines on the savory palate too, giving spice to blackberry paste and crushed lavender flavors.
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Wine Spectator
Like a good suit, this wine is both dapper and well-made. Floral black raspberry and crushed stone aromas lead to elegantly complex flavors of smoky spice, dark chocolate and dried sage. Drink now through 2025.
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.