SANTA BARBARA COUNTY  |  BALLARD CANYON AVA

A densely planted vineyard in the Ballard Canyon AVA, Kimsey gives us concentrated fruit with supple, integrated tannins. Dark cherry and mocha aromatics burst from the glass, with underling notes of iron, olive and cedar box. This is a medium to full-bodied, structured Syrah; vibrant and fresh on the palate, with juicy pomegranate and pipe tobacco. Finishes long, with gripping tannins that will soften with time in the bottle.

Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck  92 Points ~ From a terrific site at the base of Ballard Canyon, the 2018 Syrah Kimsey Vineyard sports a dense purple hue as well as young, unevolved notes of bright black and blue fruits, ground pepper, violets, and hints of sappy green herbs. These all carry over to the palate, where the wine is medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, and structured. It needs another 2-3 years of bottle age to come together, but it’s unquestionably an outstanding bottle of Syrah. Maturity after 2023. — Jeb Dunnuck

Wine Enthusiast  93 Points Cellar Selection ~ There's an intense umami-laden nose to this bottling, offering dried meat, light pepper, iodine and dark-blackberry aromas. The palate is very firm in structure, setting up blackberry jam, acai and cracked pepper flavors to last for a long time. Drink 2022–2038. — Matt Kettman

Vinous  93 Points ~ The 2018 Syrah Kimsey Vineyard is a dense, potent wine. Inky blue/black fruit, licorice, spice, new leather, espresso infuse the palate with quite a bit of textural depth. This rich, unctuous Syrah has a lot to offer. Drinking window 2023-2033. — Antonio Galloni

2017 Syrah, Kimsey Vineyard

Jeb Dunnuck  93+ Points ~ From Ballard Canyon, the 2017 Syrah Kimsey Vineyard is all destemmed Syrah aged 22 months in just 22% new French oak. Its ruby/purple hue is followed by a pretty, perfumed bouquet of sweet red and black raspberries, toasted spices, flowers, and peppery incense. Medium to full-bodied and nicely concentrated, with a firm, focused style on the palate, it's beautifully balanced yet needs 2-3 years of bottle age. — Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous  93 Points ~ The 2017 Syrah Kimsey Vineyard is another wine that captures the essence of site. Black/purplish fruit, dark spice, licorice and new leather all bring out the brooding side of Syrah that is such a Kimsey signature. Time in the glass releases a range of more peppery, floral nuances that add brightness, but the Kimsey remains a Syrah of depth and sepia-toned character. It is wonderfully expressive now, but will be even better with a bit of time in bottle. Drinking window 2022-2032. — Antonio Galloni

2016 Syrah, Kimsey Vineyard

Wine Advocate  93+ Points ~ The 2016 Syrah Kimsey Vineyard is deep ruby-purple with scents of black plum, macerated blueberries, olive, cocoa, violets and lush black fruits with meaty hints slowly revealing themselves. Full-bodied, it floods the mouth with luscious dark fruits and tons of savory accents—first olive, then chocolate, then cedar—with very firm, slightly drying tannins, just enough freshness and a very long finish. Give this more time in bottle. Drink date 2020-2035. — Erin Brooks

Vinous  93+ Points ~ The 2016 Syrah Kimsey Vineyard is a powerful, muscular wine. There is certainly no shortage of intensity in the blackberry jam, spice, leather and menthol flavors. Inky and rich, with equally imposing tannins, the 2016 needs time to soften, although I expect it will always be a massive, forbidding wine. The 2016 was done with entirely destemmed fruit. Drink 2021-2031. — Antonio Galloni

Jeb Dunnuck  94 Points ~ Another Ballard Canyon release is the 2016 Syrah Kimsey Vineyard, which is all Syrah that was destemmed and brought up in close to 40% new French oak. Blue fruits, cedary spice, white pepper, and underbrush notes all emerge from this perfumed, juicy Syrah. Medium to full-bodied, with good acidity and ripe tannins, it shines for its complexity as well as its depth and length. This classic cool-climate Syrah will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for a decade. Maturity 2021-2031. — Jeb Dunnuck