Ojai Vineyard, Santa Barbara County Syrah, 2019

Only 1000 cases produced of this total marvel of a wine.

The cool, often foggy climate of northern Santa Barbara County turns out to be one of the most ideal places to grow Syrah anywhere outside of the northern Rhone Valley in France. Here we have three valleys that run East-West to the cold Pacific Ocean, so they feed brisk coastal breezes inland and Syrah ripens gradually. Instead of the thick, jammy bombast that Syrah shows from warm vineyards, here you get that mysteriously earthy, exotic and spicy side of the varietal.

In this 2018 bottling you see our cool vineyards flaunting the character of a cool vintage, too. After the fast harvests of the warm drought vintages before, we finally enjoyed a year where we could let the fruit hang and build character without worrying a thing about balance. The assemblage here is strictly Syrah, and strictly from our coastal vineyards in northern Santa Barbara County.

The varietal fragrance is striking and pungent. The nose provides a complex profile of incense, suede leather, balsamic and violets, while a deep notion of mocha cherries and plum promises rich pleasure for the mouth. It works out that way, too. The palate is suave and easy, with front-loaded fruit that glides into savoury notes of olive and peppery charcuterie. This wine is always one of our best bargains, but man this bottling is just thrillingly good Syrah for the price.

Vineyards/Blend: Bien Nacido 48.5%, John Sebastiano 27.8%, Cottonwood Canyon 17.2%, Duvarita 4%, Roll Ranch 2.5%

92 pts Wine Advocate

Notes: Dry, Plush, Medium Bodied

Pairings: BBQ Fare, Red Meats