SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

The first Jaffurs Syrah was sourced from Thompson Vineyard in 1994, and we’re working in the same block to this day. The 2016 is open and approachable, showing expressive aromatics of bing cherry, baking spice and eucalyptus. Sweet tobacco, pie filling and mint round out the flavor profile. Integrated tannins and a plush mouthfeel make this approachable as a young wine, though 3-7 years cellaring will be rewarded.

Reviews

Wine Advocate  92 Points  ~ Medium to deep ruby-purple in the glass, the 2016 Syrah Thompson Vineyard has a very pretty, broody nose of lilac and violet with sliced blueberries, plum, chocolate-covered cherries, turned earth, charcuterie and olive. Full-bodied, it packs in the nuanced black and blue fruits, with firm, chewy tannins and good freshness, finishing long. Yum! Drink date 2020-2032. — Erin Brooks

Vinous  93 Points ~ The 2016 Syrah Thompson Vineyard is dark, powerful and also quite inward, with big tannins that clamp down on the fruit. There is good depth and plenty of intensity but the 2016 is especially brooding in the early going. Time in the glass brings out an enticing array of red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, lavender and spice, along with aromatic presence that grows over time. There is a lot to look forward to, but readers need to be patient. Drink 2021-2031. — Antonio Galloni

Jeb Dunnuck  93 Points ~ All destemmed and brought up in 40% new oak, the 2016 Syrah Thompson Vineyard comes from a great site in Santa Barbara County off Alisos Canyon road. Ripe cherries, black raspberries, mulberries, Asian spice, menthol, and peppery incense notes all emerge from the glass and it's medium to full-bodied, has a lush, rounded, sexy texture, no hard edges, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming decade. Maturity 2019-2029. — Jeb Dunnuck

2015 Syrah, Thompson Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast  93 Points ~ Candied boysenberry, white pepper and thyme-crusted roast aromas show on the nose of this bottling from a seminal vineyard in the Los Alamos area. Tightly woven on the palate, the wine is very expressive and floral, with flavors of violet, elderflower and black-plum skins. — Matt Kettmann

Jeb Dunnuck  91 Points ~ The 2015 Syrah Thompson Vineyard (a great, well-known site in Santa Barbara County) spent 18 months in 28% new French oak. It offers more plums, blackberries, violets, and licorice aromas and flavors in a slightly high-toned, perfumed, exotic style, while more pepper and gamy notes emerge with time in the glass. It's a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, balanced Syrah that can be drunk today or cellared for a decade. Maturity 2018-2028. — Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous  91 Points ~ The 2015 Syrah Thompson Vineyard is powerful, dense and super expressive. Inky blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, tobacco and licorice all flesh out in the glass. Even with all of its power, the Thompson retains a distinctly mid-weight sense of structure. The 2015 was done with fully destemmed fruit and spent 18 months in barrel. Drink 2018-2026. — Antonio Galloni

2014 Syrah, Thompson Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast  93 Points Editors’ 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. Drink date 2017-2025. — Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Jeb Dunnuck  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. — Jeb Dunnuck