2020 Hinnrich’s Vineyard Syrah - Luna Hart Wines

A dazzlingly dense yet still lively procession of blackberry preserves, dark cherry, blueberry compote, and fig purée leads a rich yet wonderfully energetic display coursing with complex herbal notes of fennel, eucalyptus, anise, and sage. Hints of bramble, black pepper, and chili flakes further advance spicy and stemmy qualities while impressions of smoke and slow-cooked red meat bolster irresistible savoriness. Wafts of blooming violet and lavender provide waves of expressive floral lift that rise above earthy tones of limestone, iron, and charcoal. Notably rugged, ripe, and powerful on the palate while still retaining exceptional balance and restraint; exhibiting a concentrated yet cerebral presentation that brilliantly juxtaposes decadent fruit and pleasantly feral non-fruit flavors. Medium-plus bodied with elevated tannin backed by bright acidity. This 2020 Hinnrich's Vineyard Syrah by Luna Hart Wines is a deep yet vibrant red from Santa Barbara's Ballard Canyon.

Although it experiences warm sun-drenched summer days where temperatures often top 90°F, Ballard Canyon's location in the heart of Santa Barbara Wine Country places it directly in the path of afternoon coastal breezes and evening ocean fog that cool its vineyards down substantially overnight. This bottling, crafted by Luna Hart Wines using Syrah sourced from the Hinnrich's Vineyard in Ballard Canyon, brilliantly showcases the combination of ripeness and freshness that Syrah from this region has become legendary for. This effortlessly booms with gobs of rich dark fruits that remain lithe and lively despite substantial extraction, and it backs them with fresh herbal notes, peppery spices, savory meatiness, and subtle earthy charms. This is a textbook Central Coast Syrah that boasts both warm and cool climate flavor characteristics, and its terrific structure should allow it to age gracefully for a decade or more. Outstanding.