SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

One of the most exciting tasks each year is tasting through each of the reserve red wine barrels and creating Upslope, the best Syrah from the vintage. We look for intensity, balance, aging potential and that mysterious “wow” factor. The 2020 Upslope shows rose petal aromatics, with crushed pepper and dark fruits. Full and textured on the palate, graphite, plum skin and dried beef flavors persist. Give this wine 2-3 years bottle age before drinking, or hold 10 years or further past the vintage for a more nuanced, mature Syrah.

Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck  99 points ~ The 2020 Syrah Upslope is the flagship of the estate and comes from a cellar selection of the single vineyards. It was co-fermented with 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier and aged in 60% new French oak. Offering the purity of the Larner Vineyard as well as additional peppery, gamey nuances, its deep purple hue is followed by a smorgasbord-like array of red, blue, and black fruits as well as full-bodied, unctuous layers of peppercorns, gamey meats, iron, and bouquet garni. With just about off-the-charts purity, a deep, layered mid-palate, and perfect balance, this awesome Syrah can be enjoyed any time over the coming 15 years or so. Maturity 2023 - 2038. — Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous  95 points ~ The 2020 Syrah Upslope is a blend of 60% Bien Nacido and 40% Larner done in 60% new oak. Inky dark fruit, leather, chocolate, spice and menthol all build as this large-scaled Syrah shows its flamboyant character. In theory, the Upslope is the top Syrah at Jaffurs, but in 2020 many of the single vineyard Syrahs are arguably more compelling because they are more focused on site and also less marked by oak. The Upslope is not my personal favorite in this range, but it is nevertheless outstanding. Drinking window 2023-2031. — Antonio Galloni

Wine Enthusiast  94 points ~ This reserve-level, top-barrel bottling from this legacy producer, which is based in downtown Santa Barbara, pushes the power envelope. Aromas of stewed blackberry, light soy, dried beef and oak spice lead from the nose into a savory palate, where hints of Worchestire sauce and charred beef tips are balanced by blackberry and violet flavors. — Matt Kettmann

2019 Syrah, Upslope, Santa Barbara County

Jeb Dunnuck  98+ points ~ The 2019 Syrah Upslope is 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier. It sports a deep purple hue to go with a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, spring flowers, crushed stone, graphite, and pepper. Deep, pure, beautifully balanced, and medium to full-bodied, it has incredible purity of fruit, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. This Côte Rôtie look-alike has tons of character, and while it's brilliant today, it will be better with 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 10-15. It's pure California class! Maturity 2024-2040. — Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous  95 points ~ The 2019 Upslope is a blend of Bien Nacido, Larner, and Kimsey, a combination that works so well. Powerful and ample, tremendous palate presence the Upslope sure delivers the goods. Inky red fruit, iron, dried herbs, lavender, licorice, and crushed flowers are some of the many notes that build into the deep, resonant finish. Drinking window 2024-2034. — Antonio Galloni

Wine Enthusiast  94 points Cellar Selection ~ Aromas of violet, blueberry, and asphalt lean toward restraint on the nose of this wine that should stand the test of time. The palate combines roasted blackberry, peppercorn, bay leaf, thyme, and dark cocoa elements into a cohesive whole. Drink now-2037. — Matt Kettman

2018 Syrah, Upslope, Santa Barbara County

Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points ~ The flagship 2018 Syrah Upslope checks in as 97% Syrah and 3% co-fermented Viognier from a mix of the Larner and Bien Nacido vineyards. It was only one-third destemmed and brought up in 40% new French oak. A dense, backward, inward, yet potential-loaded beauty, its deep purple hue is followed by powerful notes of blackberries, liquid violets, ground pepper, and crushed stone. More brine and olive notes emerge with some coaxing, and it's full-bodied, with a rich, layered, concentrated mid-palate, lots of structure, and a great finish. It's going to play with the top wines in the vintage yet needs at least 2-3 years of bottle age. Maturity after 2023. — Jeb Dunnuck

Wine Enthusiast  94 points Cellar Selection ~ Loads of lilac and white pepper waft across the nose of this bottling, giving depth and life to the acai and other dark-purple-fruit aromas. There's extreme complexity to the lavender and rosemary blossoms elements of the palate, where a rich boysenberry-sorbet and crushed herb core is framed by sticky tannins. Much more to come here. Drink 2024-2033. — Matt Kettmann

Vinous  94 points ~ The 2018 Syrah Upslope is a gorgeous wine. Bright and also very deep, the Upslope offers quite a bit of depth. All the elements come together so well in the 2018. The blend of fruit from Larner and Bien Nacido works so well here. Drinking window 2023-2033. — Antonio Galloni

2017 Syrah, Upslope, Santa Barbara County

Jeb Dunnuck   99 points ~ The flagship Syrah from Jaffurs is always a selection made from the single vineyards, and the 2017 Syrah Upslope is 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier that was 55% destemmed and brought up in 50% new French oak. Deep purple-hued, with killer notes of jammy blackberries, ground pepper, bouquet garni, and smoked game, it's flawlessly balanced and medium to full-bodied on the palate, with polished tannins, brilliant purity, and a great, great finish. Pure class, with a Côte Rôtie-like character, this incredible wine should be snatched up by readers and enjoyed over the coming 10-15 years. Hats off to the team at Jaffurs! Maturity 2020-2035. — Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous  95 points ~ The 2017 Syrah Upslope, a selection of the best lots in the cellar, captures all the Jaffurs signatures. Lavish dark fruit, lavender, licorice, spice and menthol build into a stunning crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures. A touch of whole cluster savoriness and a bit of new French oak add layers of complexity throughout. Drinking window 2022-2032. — Antonio Galloni