LOS ALAMOS VALLEY | SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

2014 was a warm, early harvest, yielding fully ripe, generous wines with depth and concentration. The Thompson Syrah tends towards red fruit flavors, with aromatics of Asian spice and dried flowers. Soft tannins and a plush mouthfeel make this approachable as a young wine, though 3-7 years cellaring will be rewarded.

Technical Notes

Reviews

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points Editor’s Choice

There's a compelling amount of freshness and vivacity for a Syrah in this bottling, starting with aromas of boysenberry juice, wild thyme, wisteria and sweet peppercorn sauce. Crushed lilacs and lavender meet with black-currant jam and black pepper on the palate, which deftly combines ripe fruit with a savory side. – Matt Kettmann

 Wine Advocate 92 Points

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Syrah Thompson Vineyard has fragrant baked plums, crème de cassis and dusty earth notes with chocolate box, sandalwood, Indian spices and sautéed herbs nuances. Full-bodied, plush and voluptuously fruited, it gives plenty of black fruit and spice layers in the mouth and great length. – Lisa Perrotti-Brown

JebDunnuck.com 91 points

Cranberry, blueberry, peppery herbs and spice define the 2014 Syrah Thompson Vineyard, and it's also lively, juicy, and delicious on the palate. Coming from a cooler site, it was completely destemmed and aged 18 months in 25% new French oak.