ALISOS CANYON AVA   |  SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

The first Jaffurs Syrah was made from Thompson Vineyard in 1994, and we’re working in the same block to this day. The 2019 shows earthy aromatics with cocoa, red fruit, and sweet tobacco. An unctuous mouthfeel brings cherry, truffle, and savory herbs, finishing with dusty tannins. Our most elegant Vineyard Designate Syrah, with an earlier drinking window, enjoy 3-8 years past the vintage.

Reviews

Wine Enthusiast  92 points ~ Cassis and candied boysenberry aromas meet with lively lilac on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. The palate is vibrant with red cherry and strawberry, as chalk tannins rein in the juicy core. — Matt Kettmann

Jeb Dunnuck  91+ points ~ From a site in the Alisos Canyon, the 2019 Syrah Thompson Vineyard offers some classic Santa Barbara Syrah black and blue fruits as well as flowers, violets, and peppery nuances. It's medium-bodied, straight and focused on the palate, with the fresher, cooler style of the vintage front and center. — Jeb Dunnuck

2018 Syrah, Thompson Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast  93 points ~ Snappy black-raspberry and boysenberry aromas are dusted in light licorice, black-pepper and pie-crust tones on the nose of this bottling. The palate is extremely complex, with a baked fruit core that's lifted by thyme and pepper, as acidity and herbs cut through the richness. — Matt Kettmann

Jeb Dunnuck  92 points ~ The 2018 Syrah Thompson Vineyard (100% destemmed Syrah) offers more up-front blueberry and blackberry fruits as well as spring flowers, violets, and orange blossom-like aromas and flavors. This spicy, complex, peppery, medium to full-bodied Syrah has terrific balance, lots of ripe tannins, and outstanding length. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years, if not a decade. Maturity 2021-2030. — Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous  91 points ~ The 2018 Syrah Thompson Vineyard is laced with sweet tobacco, cedar, mint, dried flowers, licorice and dried herbs. The 2018 was done entirely with destemmed fruit, and yet it shows very pretty savory notes. There is certainly plenty to like in this mid-weight offering. Drinking window 2023-2038. — Antonio Galloni

2017 Syrah, Thompson Vineyard

Jeb Dunnuck  92 points ~ The 2017 Syrah Thompson Vineyard comes from a great site in Santa Barbara County and was all destemmed. It gives up a ripe, sexy bouquet of red and blue fruits, ground pepper, and violets, with just a touch of gaminess and bacon fat emerging with time in the glass. Nicely textured, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated, it's a ripe, powerful California Syrah to drink over the coming 7-8 years. Maturity 2020-2028. — Jeb Dunnuck