Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard comes from a site on the eastern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills and displays a darker purple/plum hue that’s followed by a gorgeous nose of bright red cherries, blueberries, exotic spring flowers, ground pepper, camphor, and hints of game. I always find a certain Côte Rôtie-like wildness from this site, and this beauty has it in spades. It's medium to full-bodied, has a deep, layered mouthfeel, gorgeous tannins, and an outstanding finish. This awesome Syrah marries remarkable richness and depth with a rare sense of purity and elegance
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Wine Enthusiast
Dark and inky in the glass, this is a wildly shape shifting Syrah, offering a range of aromas from charred lamb and roasted berries to lively violets and fresh cherries. The palate is equally complex, offering lush flavors of boysenberry, baking spice, more violets and even fudge.
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.