BALLARD CANYON AVA | SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Sandy, limestone rich soils at Larner Vineyard produce a structured, complex Syrah. Co-fermented with a touch of Viognier and 60% whole-clusters, this wine effortlessly balances elegance and power. Floral aromatics give way to baking spice and rich blue fruit on the palate, with a long, gripping and savory finish. Larner produces one of our most age-worthy Syrahs. Low yields in 2015 produced a concentrated, structured wine that should drink at its best 5-10 years past the vintage.

Technical Notes

Reviews

The 2015 Syrah Larner Vineyard is similarly deeply colored, and it saw 1% cofermented Viognier and 22 months one-third new barrels. Clean, pure and elegant, with rocking notes of crème de cassis, bacon fat, leafy herbs, and lavender, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a more tight, reserved texture, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This is another sensational wine from this estate. Maturity 2018-2033. — Jeb Dunnuck

The 2015 Syrah Larner Vineyard is another super-expressive wine from Jaffurs. Bright floral notes perk up the red-toned fruits nicely. Persistent, energetic and gracious, the Larner has so much to offer. Beams of tannin extend the mid-palate and finish effortlessly in this gorgeous Syrah from Jaffurs. Drink 2018-2026. — Antonio Galloni

Black currant, charred berries and a hint of diesel show on the nose of this dark and intense bottling from Ballard Canyon. The dark-fruit flavors continue on the sip, but are lifted by rosemary, bay leaf and chalky tannins. — Matt Kettmann

2014 Syrah, Larner Vineyard

There's a warm and welcoming note of baked goods and toasty brioche on the nose of this bottling, along with hints of vanilla and black cherry. The flavors are also very accessible and delicious, with black-cherry syrup, maple, brown sugar and more vanilla spice that carries deep into the finish. The tannins are firm enough to hold up the richness.

The 2014 Syrah Larner Vineyard is a deep, powerful wine. Dark red cherry, chocolate, menthol, licorice and plum infuse this intense, sumptuous Syrah. All the elements meld together in an effortless, juicy wine that hits all the right notes. This is in an exuberant style, but it works nicely. Floral notes reappear on the finish, adding further shades of nuance. The 20-30% whole clusters are very nicely balanced.

Incorporating a splash of Viognier, the 2014 Syrah Larner Vineyard is an elegant, seamless Syrah that offers lots of black cherry, black raspberry, dried herbs and hints of incense in a medium- to full-bodied, silky style. It's another impeccably balanced beauty from this team that's going to drink beautifully going forward.

2013 Syrah, Larner Vineyard

The inky purple/blue colored 2013 Syrah Larner Vineyard is a full-bodied, rich, gorgeously textured beauty that has tons of currants, blackberry, smoked herbs and pepper aromas and flavors. Seeing 25% whole clusters and 20% new French oak, drink this pedal to the metal, pure, yet still elegant Syrah over the coming 7-8 years.

Vinous  93+ Points
The 2013 Syrah Larner Vineyard is another deep, potent wine. Beams of tannin give the Larner much of its verticality and structure. Today, the Larner is shut down hard. A host of dark cherry, menthol, licorice, smoke, game, tobacco and dark spice give the Larner its distinctively brooding personality. The 2013 Larner is powerful, but also incredibly promising.

Savory aromas of black pepper, dried beef, soy, tangy elderberry, fresh boysenberry and deep lavender show on the nose of this single vineyard study. The palate is very floral at first, and then flavors of black currant, vanilla, pencil lead, baking spice, tar and white pepper ride the waves of acidity.