Santa Barbara

• Santa Lucia Highlands
• Santa Rita Hills
• Santa Ynez Valley

WARNING - Biased Review.  this wine continues to drink well now that it has finally re-awoken from its slumber.  Purple in color.  The nose is very nice with black olives, black raspberries, roasted meats and slight floral notes.  Except for the bright fruit, it shows very northern Rhone-like.  On the palate, this is deep with layers that unwind in the glass.  Earthy notes along with black raspberry fruit.  Good acidity.  Works with heartier foods.  This is closing in on peak but should have a decade left so no hurry.  A bit of air before serving is a good idea but this no longer needs a lo

Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with lemon cream and some minerals.  A bit buttery and slightly oaky.  On the palate, this is nice acidity.  Lemon with cream.  Decent balance.  Works well with food.  Slight depth and complexity; probably won't get better.  Good drinking right now.  A nice compromise for those who like buttery/oaky and those who don't.  

This is a special blend made from the best barrels of Jaffur's Thompson, Verna's and Bien Nacido Vineyards.  Deep purple in color.  The nose is very nice.  Black raspberries, grilled meat with a bit of burnt crust, and white pepper.  On the palate, this is seriously ripe.  It will not be for everyone.  Not so much powerful (although it is) bit ripe/sweet.  It took some time to get used to and then it was wonderful.  Sweet and jammy black raspberry fruit.  There is some depth here.  Still drinking quite young.  Nice finish.  This makes a great drink on the back deck but may prove to be a mor

This is starting to come into its own but still is young and really needs more time.  Pop and pour, this should have been decanted.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, an underlying char with some peppery notes.  On the palate, this is concentrated but has a lot of black raspberry fruit.  Dense.  Medium tannins.  Worked well with spicy Chile Relenos.  It could use a few more years of cellaring and there is some slight upside for that.  

Jaffurs makes a lot of wine, this is their basic Syrah and it is one of my favorite value wines from California.  77% Syrah, 9% Grenache, 9% Petite Sirah and the Mourvèdre.  This is warm climate Syrah that will drink early and cellar well.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, grilled meats, slight black pepper and a bit of roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  It is delicious and always a crowd pleaser.  Deep with complexity that opens in the glass but will emerge with more cellaring.  Great on its own or with hearty of fatty foods.  Definite upside potentia

Opened and allowed to breathe for 12 hours before serving.  It could have used double that.  That said, this is a spectacular Syrah from one of the best, if young track record, producers.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, roasted meats and slight roasted herbs, violets and yet still black olives.  On the palate, a wonderful texture.  Great purity of fruit; black raspberries with some black pepper, char and slight meatiness.  Deep, it unwinds in the glass.  Pin point balance.  Worked great with food.  Spectacular wine.  

Compared to the 2010 Verna's, this seems to be a bit more elegant with more depth.  Both are great though.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, leather, grilled meats and white pepper.  On the palate, this has lots of energy.  Unwinds into layers in the glass of fruit and earth.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This will continue to improve for a while.  If drinking now, give it some air.  

Purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper, and some roasted meats.  Very deep.  On the  palate, this is still young but drinking great.  Black raspberry fruit with some roasted herbs and some spice.  Great texture.  Deep and tightly layered.  Long finish.  This will develop more complexity but if you like lush, delicious warm climate Syrah, this one is fine now.   

Warning, this is a biased wine review.  This is our own label.  So why post a note?  Because people often ask me how the wines are drinking and what are my thoughts.  I try to be honest and forthright but at the very least, I make the wine I want to drink, so hopefully, it is a wine that I like.  YMMV.  2010 is a vintage that has taken a while to come around but it seems to have gotten some traction and is getting there.  This bottle was opened and allowed to breathe for 8 hours prior to serving.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meat, white pepper and slight floral

7% Syrah, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 3% Sangiovese and 2% Viognier.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, some black pepper, spice and slight floral notes.  On the palate, this has some depth with a nice varietal complexity.  Good mouth feel.  Works well with or without food.  I don't know if this improves but should last a decade or so.  It is basically, the "leftovers" for the Jonata single varietal wines.  That doesn't mean it is not excellent in its own right.  A nice alternative to their expensive bottlings.