Winemaker Notes
Slight ruby red color with black notes and an already multi-colored robe when tilting the glass. Aromas of plum, raw meat, spice and hints of pink, white and black peppercorns. Slight notes of cigar box cedar mixed with cracked wheat toast. Amazingly resolved approach with smooth persistent fine, luscious tannins. Full rounded wine that connects from front to back. Dark red fruits, cocoa and raspberries in the mouth lead to elongated finish. Undertones of leather and black tapenade combine in an intricate weave of savory and spice.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2018 Syrah Über is one of the finest wines I have ever tasted from Doug Margerum. All the elements come together in a Syrah that balances aromatic intensity with fruit richness and structure. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice and a kiss of new French oak bring out the extroverted side of Syrah. Sumptuous and bold, the 2018 is a winner. The Über spent 20 months in a single new 2,000 liter French oak foudre.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Syrah UBER is 100% Santa Barbara Syrah and spent 16 months in 63% new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Lots of jammy blackberry and mulberry fruits as well as notes of ground pepper, violets, and gamey herbs emerge from this beauty. Medium to full-bodied, it has a wonderful purity, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Drink this cool-climate yet textured, balanced Syrah any time over the coming decade.
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Wine Spectator
Sleek and spirited, with well-structured raspberry and cherry flavors that are laced with fresh violet and fruitcake spice accents, building toward fine-grained tannin's. Drink now through 2029.
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Wine Enthusiast
Though this wine starts a little shy on the nose, it slowly reveals elegant blackberry and violet aromas with time. The palate takes those purple-fruit and flower flavors and amplifies the experience with espresso-bean touches.
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.