Winemaker Notes
Gorgeous purple ruby in color, rich and decadent aromatics of cocoa nibs, molasses and gingerbread spring from the glass. In the background, more delicate notes of fresh mint leaf, black pepper, sandalwood, and sea salt also emerge. On the palate, the wine boasts an incredibly polished mouthfeel with savory tannins that frame a tender and focused finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Vivid aromas of cracked peppercorn, dewy pepper trees, spicy bay leaf and damp herbs show on the nose of this estate Syrah—a great way to experience the cool-climate expression. Underripe black-raspberry and juniper-berry flavors show on the sip as well as coriander, peppercorn and freshly washed ashtray.
Editors' Choice -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby colored, the 2017 Syrah Estate has a nose of spiced blueberries, blackberries, tricolored peppercorn, burnt sage, garrigue and olive with smoked meats and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, it offers restrained fruit in the mouth with tons of spicy accents, firm, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing lifted.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Melville Estate Syrah is elegant, persistent, and delicious. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers black fruit, savory spices, and earth notes in its aromas and flavors. Pair it with slowly-braised meat stews. (Tasted: August 22, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the Syrahs, the 2017 Syrah Estate Sta. Rita Hills was mostly destemmed (70%) and brought up in neutral barrels. It reveals a semi-opaque color as well as notes of blackberries, ground herbs, cedarwood, and cracked pepper. Medium-bodied, elegant, and finesse-driven, it has juicy acidity, a complex, cool-climate style, and good length. It's a more restrained, elegant style that will keep for 7-8 years at a minimum.
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.