Winemaker Notes
The varietal fragrance is striking and pungent. The nose provides a complex profile of incense, well-oiled leather, balsamic, and violets, while a deep notion of mocha cherries and mulberry promises rich pleasure for the mouth. It works out that way, too. The palate is suave and easy, with front-loaded fruit that glides into
savory notes of tobacco, umami, and chai spice. The finish is enlivened by sneaky floral notes and fine tannin that keeps you coming back for more. This wine is so easy to love, and such a bargain.
Blend: 81.5% Syrah, 18.5% Grenache
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A year in, year out winner is the 2019 Syrah Santa Barbara County. Medium ruby-hued and semi-opaque, it has a great, perfumed nose of ripe berry fruits, violets, and peppery herbs that carries to a medium-bodied, silky, wonderfully balanced Syrah that’s going to deliver loads of pleasure over the coming 4-6 years.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Ojai Santa Barbara County Syrah is fresh and pleasing. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of fragrant spices and black fruits. Enjoy it with BBQ brisket. (Tasted: April 9, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
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.