Opens with some smoky, earthy, and funky notes before easing into black plum, grilled meat, creosote, and red apple skin. Still a little chewy on the palate but bright and zippy on the finish. Edgy acidity — perhaps a tad too edgy. But enjoyable to drink notwithstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Raisins, white pepper, licorice, and a hint of vanilla on the nose.Extremely smooth with very tannins, just a hint of acidity. Figs and dark fruit like ripe plums. Very even finish. Smooth. Be sure to decant, as there was quite a bit of sediment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dense purple with a multi layered mouthfeel. Flavors of blackberry and plum, with hints of vanilla, clove, and black olive. The tannins have smoothed out, and the oak which was so prevalent in my previous bottles has finally faded. Not a long finish, but a nice pepper undertone that makes me wish I bought a few more bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Patience paid off. Much better than an earlier bottle, and really hitting its stride. Definitely showing its SBC fruit, but the oak and youthful exuberance have faded and been replaced with a strong savory, olive-y undertone. You'll never mistake this for the Northern Rhone, but then again, that's not what you're looking for here. Lovely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had at my annual tasting. Really defined what Syrah can be. Tannins have softened slightly, but that's ok. A nice finish. Too bad this was my last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Absolutely delicious full-bodied, forward blackberry/blueberry fruit with vanillin, clove, and black olive flavors, excellent structure, long finish of the best Santa Ynez wines that I've tasted.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
9/12/2019 - Paul Lin wrote: 89 Points
Opens with some smoky, earthy, and funky notes before easing into black plum, grilled meat, creosote, and red apple skin. Still a little chewy on the palate but bright and zippy on the finish. Edgy acidity — perhaps a tad too edgy. But enjoyable to drink notwithstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2018 - DMacMac Likes this wine: 95 Points
Raisins, white pepper, licorice, and a hint of vanilla on the nose.Extremely smooth with very tannins, just a hint of acidity. Figs and dark fruit like ripe plums. Very even finish. Smooth. Be sure to decant, as there was quite a bit of sediment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2015 - sesalmon Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dense purple with a multi layered mouthfeel. Flavors of blackberry and plum, with hints of vanilla, clove, and black olive. The tannins have smoothed out, and the oak which was so prevalent in my previous bottles has finally faded. Not a long finish, but a nice pepper undertone that makes me wish I bought a few more bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2014 - stubbie999 Likes this wine:
Patience paid off. Much better than an earlier bottle, and really hitting its stride. Definitely showing its SBC fruit, but the oak and youthful exuberance have faded and been replaced with a strong savory, olive-y undertone. You'll never mistake this for the Northern Rhone, but then again, that's not what you're looking for here. Lovely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/29/2013 - merlot78 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Had at my annual tasting. Really defined what Syrah can be. Tannins have softened slightly, but that's ok. A nice finish. Too bad this was my last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2013 - geneswine wrote: 94 Points
Even better than my last bottle 2 years ago.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2011 - wendyinwlv wrote: 82 Points
I found it very disappointing. Seems very flat with an odd finish(?) Black olive? Not very fruity. I think it's a it's peak or already past it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2010 - Amerique wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely delicious full-bodied, forward blackberry/blueberry fruit with vanillin, clove, and black olive flavors, excellent structure, long finish of the best Santa Ynez wines that I've tasted.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2010 - stocksandbondage wrote: 92 Points
Dense crimson hue. Plush flavors of blackberry, plum and black pepper. Velvety tannins and continued black pepper notes in the plum driven close.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2009 - smguth3 wrote:
B+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2008 - norzano wrote: 91 Points
Very smooth all the way through, ruby red, hints of dark cherry, a little berry flavor
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment