Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the single vineyard Syrahs, the 2017 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard got a big "wow" in the notes and is a just a gorgeous Syrah from this team. Ripe blackberries, smoked game, ground pepper, and violets notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant, floral Syrah that has terrific balance, light tannins, and a great finish. It's fully in the Ojai style of freshness and elegance yet has terrific fruit. Drink it over the coming decade.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard is very expressive this vintage, with slowly opening notes of tar, loam, white pepper and violet with a core of cassis. The palate offers full, ripe, spicy fruit in a weightless frame, and it finishes very long.
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.