2017 Estate Syrah - Spear Vineyards & Winery

Wild blackberry, whole Kalamata olive, spiced cranberry puree. Black currant, fresh sage, tart red plum. Bilberry, dark cherry, and licorice highlight an impressively lean and crunchy fruit core seasoned tastefully with cracked black pepper and fennel. Overgrowth, rosemary, and dried herbs begin to radiate within the charmingly savory attack as notes of red meat and grilled game provide a fascinating feral edge. A whiff of young violet meekly emerges gifting a delicate floral touch before crushed sea salt, broken-in leather, and tar reassert dominance for the wild and untamed. Tense, nervy, and serious in nature yet remarkably clean, fresh, and energetic; palpably oscillating with epic cool climate verve. Merely medium in body with beautifully elevated levels of tannin and acidity. This 2017 Estate Syrah By Spear Vineyards & Winery a brilliantly complex single vineyard red from the Santa Rita Hills.

Using only meticulously farmed fruit grown at their scenic Santa Barbara estate Spear Vineyards & Winery has rapidly established itself as one of the most exciting new producers in all of California's central coast. This bottling, crafted by Spear using Syrah sourced from their cold and wind-swept property, is an incredible example of tense and terroir-driven cool climate Syrah. Herbal, peppery, meaty, and smoky notes all combine here with nicely tart and restrained fruit to form an extremely classic, complex, and complete offering. At just 3 years of age this wine is barely starting to unwind and would certainly benefit from more bottle age, yet its bright acidity and wonderful crunch-factor make it a pleasure to enjoy today. Very impressive as usual from Spear.