Winemaker Notes
Another blockbuster Estate Syrah vintage following a hit parade of recent vintages. Spades of brimming energy but already in its youth, supple, rich, and polished. Pure yumminess, yet intriguingly carnal and raw with a blazing fire inside. A one-two punch of opulence and high-toned pizzazz. The two marry to create a wonderfully classic edition of Estate Syrah.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Syrah Estate is bright and approachable. Tarry touches give way to blackberry, blueberry, violet and bitter chocolate aromas. The palate is full-bodied and powerful with a youthfully dense core of fruit, finely grained tannins and bursts of acidity to refresh the floral finish. Best After 2022
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.”
Accounting for only ten percent of the greater Santa Ynez AVA, Ballard Canyon’s north-south orientation provides an ideal pattern of sunshine and martime fog for producing excellent Syrah. While Syrah is planted to half of the total AVA acreage, an additional third is dedicated to other Rhône varieties, red and white.