Winemaker Notes
This rip This ripe, powerhouse Syrah is deep and earthy at first, then with some air the high notes come forward, showing lifted scents of violets, dark rose and
savory herbs that mingle with the sweet promise of black cherry and apricots.
Per usual, the palate is rich and muscular. There’s lots of impact with muddled
berries and crème de violette. That’s all framed by earthy cocoa notes, peppery
herbs, and a powerful structure of fine stemmy tannins and minerality. It’s an
especially pretty and beguiling example of Roll Ranch, with no shortage of
power for this wine’s ardent fans.
Professional Ratings
-
Vinous
The 2019 Syrah Roll Ranch is absolutely gorgeous. Hints of blood orange, spice, incense, mint, rose petal and sweet red berry infuse the 2019 with striking exoticism. The 60% whole clusters works so well in the Roll Ranch. This deceptively mid-weight Syrah is packed with flavor and character
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from a vineyard outside of Ojai, in Ventura County, the 2019 Syrah Roll Ranch Vineyard (there's always a splash of Viognier in the blend) reveals a deep purple hue as well as solid nose of ripe plums and darker berry fruits supported by leafy herbs, chocolate, lavender, and peppery spice notes. This rich, mouth-filling, powerful Syrah has plenty of mid-palate depth, good acidity, and a great finish. It is certainly the biggest, ripest Syrah in the lineup, yet it stays in the classic Ojai style of being fresh and light on its feet. It has the structure to evolve for 10-15 years in cold cellars.
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.”
The largest and perhaps most varied of California’s wine-growing regions, the Central Coast produces a good majority of the state's wine. This vast California wine district stretches from San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara along the coast, and reaches inland nearly all the way to the Central Valley.
Encompassing an extremely diverse array of climates, soil types and wine styles, it contains many smaller sub-AVAs, including San Francisco Bay, Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley.
While the Central Coast California wine region could probably support almost any major grape varietiy, it is famous for a few Central Coast reds and whites. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are among the major ones. The Central Coast is home to many of the state's small, artisanal wineries crafting unique, high-quality wines, as well as larger producers also making exceptional wines.