The 2001 Santa Barbara County Syrah combines Thompson Vineyard, Stolpman Vineyard, Melville Vineyard and Bien Nacido Vineyard fruit. This wine is more than the sum of its parts. It is powerful, tar-y stuff. It shows cherry, mineral, spice flavors. No viognier was added to the blend this year. It shares the identical fruit and winemaking techniques with our vineyard designated wines to produce a wine of great complexity and lower price. (1144 cases produced)
90 Points. Wine Advocate – Aug 2003. The outstanding 2001 Syrah’s deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by big, sweet, aromas of black cherries, blackberries, pepper, compost, and smoke… it is an excellent bargain for Syrahs of this class” – Robert Parker
90 Points. International Wine Cellar – June 2003 Bright, dark red. Roasted black cherry and dark chocolate on the nose. Then juicy and primary in the mouth, with succulent flavors or blackberry, cassis, violet, and bitter chocolate. A tightly wound fruit bomb with lovely restrained sweetness and some finesse. Finishes sweet, firm and long, with subtle oakiness. This elegantly styled Syrah unfolded nicely as it opened up in the glass. – Stephen Tanzer
89 Points. Wine Enthusiast – Feb 2004. … It is rich and dense, with deep flavors of currants, plums, and molasses, pepper and tobacco. The texture is smooth as velvet. This voluptuous wine is pleasure to sip. – Steve Heimoff