Winemaker Notes
2023 Colson Canyon Syrah delivers the same intensity and structure that this unique vineyard faithfully provides year after year. Displaying beautiful notes of ripe blackberries and plums, while finishing with hints of coffee and anise. Powerful, yet balanced, this wine provides structured tannins and a graceful earthy finish of dried black olives to compliment its youthful vibrancy. Most people like Colson Canyon Syrah young, full of fruit and texture.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
All Syrah from Colson Canyon Vineyard, fermented with 30% whole clusters and aged 10 months in 25% new French oak, the 2023 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is deep purple-hued, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and pure, with fabulous aromatics of blueberries, wild strawberries, violets, pepper, and flowery incense. It has terrific purity, a pure, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish.
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Vinous
The 2023 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard once again shows how unique this site is. Black cherry, plum, licorice, crushed rocks, graphite, cured meats, iron and chalk are some of the many notes that grace this complex, wonderfully dynamic Syrah. There's so much going on here.
Barrel Sample: 94-96
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.