Winemaker Notes
The wine is enticingly aromatic and well structure, further proving the cool climate influence. On the nose, the Syrah is classically peppery, with notes of dried herbs and jammy plum. On the palate, the wine is expressive with bright red fruit flavors, freshly cracked black pepper, and hints of fine espresso.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Syrah Donna's is all varietal and comes from the Melville Vineyard. Its vivid ruby/plum hue is followed by classic Syrah notes of ripe blackberries, mulberries, pepper, violets, and gamey meats. These carry to a full-bodied Syrah with ultra-fine tannins, a layered, multi-dimensional texture, and a gorgeous finish. This absolutely captivating Syrah is already impossible to resist yet is going to evolve for 15-20 years with ease. It's up with the finest vintages of this cuvée produced. Hats off to Chad Melville for a brilliant, world class Syrah!
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Wine Enthusiast
This fantastic model of cool-climate Syrah starts with extremely peppery aromas that mesh into damp sage, bay leaf, tar, squid ink and elderberry on the nose. The palate is ripe with black-raspberry jam flavors that quickly become complex thanks to cracked green peppercorn, olive tapenade, ash and Sichuan peppercorn elements.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Syrah Donna's Block has strikingly pure aromas! Blueberry and blood orange are accented by nuances of cracked pepper, teriyaki, Castelvetrano olives, tobacco and graphite. The medium-bodied palate features a concentrated core of nuanced fruit framed by chalky tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a long, flavorful finish. Complex and detailed, this really has it all—fragrant fruit, savory, earth and spice character—and will have a long life in the cellar. Rating: 94+
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.”
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.