SANTA MARIA VALLEY AVA  |  SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Bien Nacido is our coolest-climate Syrah vineyard, planted across two blocks up the hillsides overlooking Santa Maria Valley. The 2020 is a dark, full-bodied wine. Classic Syrah flavors include black currant, cured meat, crushed pepper and green olive. Bright acidity and a supple mid-palate texture, with mineral tension and a long, saline finish. This is a textbook Bien Nacido Syrah that will improve with cellaring, and should hold well into a decade past release.

Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck  93+ points ~ The 2020 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard (which was co-fermented with 2% Viognier) offers a meatier, denser style that will benefit from bottle age. Ripe black (and some blue) fruits, pepper, leafy herbs, game, and iron notes all emerge in the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a big, concentrated mid-palate, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. I don't think this will match the all-time greatest from this estate, but it's a ripe, opulent, powerful Syrah that warrants 2-4 years of bottle age. Maturity after 2025. — Jeb Dunnuck

Vinious  95 points ~ The 2020 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard is another gorgeous wine from Jaffurs. Dense and
explosive, with tons of intensity, the 2020 is extroverted to the core. The 60% whole clusters and 25% new oak add layers of complexity without marking the wine strongly. A touch of co-fermented Viognier adds aromatic lift. All the elements are so well balanced. Inky dark fruit, licorice, cloves and dark chocolate infuse the finish. Drinking window 2023-2031. — Antonio Galloni

Wine Enthusiast  93 points ~ Intense aromas of dried blueberry, dark violet, and a slightly reductive tar component show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is dense and structured to last, showing dark fruit, dark chocolate, and the slightest hint of purple flower. These elements have a long way to go. Drink now-2038. — Matt Kettmann

2019 Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard

Jeb Dunnuck  95+ points ~ Black fruits, smoked meats, chocolate, pepper, and liquid violet notes all emerge from the 2019 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard, a richer, medium to full-bodied, expansive, yet still focused, elegant Syrah that has tons to love. Based on 99% Syrah and 1% Viognier that was 54% destemmed and co-fermented, aged 22 months in 27% new French oak, it will benefit from a year in bottle and drink brilliantly for a decade. Maturity 2023-2033. — Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous  94 points ~ The 2019 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard is powerful and elegant at the same time. Blue/purplish fruit, lavendar, spice, menthol, licorice, and chocolate give the 2019 notable depth and intensity. The 54% whole clusters are nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the fruit. This powerhouse Syrah is beautifully done. Drinking window 2024-2034. — Antonio Galloni

Wine Enthusiast  94 points ~ Tightly wound aromas of blackberry, dried beef, packed purple flowers and light tar make for a dense though not overly ripe nose on this bottling from the historic vineyard. The wine is also dense and chalky on the palate, with black-fruit and blueberry flavors that are detailed in pepper, soy, and lavender. A comforting hit of vanilla shows on the finish. — Matt Kettmann

2018 Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast  93 points Cellar Selection ~ This sure-to-be long-lasting expression of this historic vineyard kicks off with snappy aromas of black raspberry, white pepper and charred meat on the nose. There is a fresh and edgy quality to the hearty palate, full of charred berries, black pepper and rounded violet flavors. It opens steadily with air. Drink now through 2038. — Matt Kettmann

2017 Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard

Jeb Dunnuck  97 points ~ The 2017 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard (there's 3% Viognier in the blend) sports a deep purple hue to go with ultra-classic aromas of blackberries, ground pepper, crushed violets, and bouquet garni as well as marine-like salty, gamey notes. It's awesome on the palate as well – full-bodied, seamless, flawlessly balanced, and offering just about everything you could want from Central Coast Syrah. It's going to evolve nicely for 10-12 years, although there's no need to delay gratification. Maturity 2020-2032. — Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous  94 points ~ The 2017 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard opens with stunning aromatics that carry through to the palate, where the wine is simply thrilling to experience. Black pepper, lavender, spice, licorice and cloves add striking perfume and a real sense of brilliance to this dark, brooding Bien Nacido Syrah from Jaffurs. This is a terrific showing. Drinking window 2022-2032. — Antonio Galloni