Winemaker Notes
2017 takes a turn towards the prettier side of Syrah that can be enjoyed upon release. Red perfume triumphs within a few minutes of pouring into the glass. The first swirl remains impressive with a black abyss ringed with a touch of sweet oak and ripe blackberry. On the palate the mouthfeel is creamy, oozy rich. Then the arc to perfumed red fruit begins and finishes with a balanced pop of peppermint. Like past vintages, the wine is still massive, but the beast has been luxuriated.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I tasted the 2017 Syrah Originals Estate as a barrel sample shortly before it was due to be bottled. Medium to deep ruby-purple, it has a singular nose of licorice, peppercorn, cocoa powder, red and black currants and cherries, plus sparks of fresh raspberries, blueberries and a meaty core. The palate is medium to full-bodied, offering great layers supported by ripe, pleasantly chewy tannins and integrated freshness and finishing very long. 550 cases are expected to be made.
Barrel Sample: 91-93 -
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Syrah Originals saw the same 50% stem regimen yet spent 20 months in neutral oak. It offers more black cherries, currants, Herbes de Provence, and peppery notes as well as a rounded, medium-bodied, textured style on the palate. This estate continues to make a bevy of classic, textbook Syrahs, and this one certainly delivers the goods.
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.