2021 Central Coast Syrah - Metas Altas

Exuberantly youthful and energetic bursts of cranberry, underripe blackberry, sour cherry, and tart pomegranate lead an irresistibly crisp and characterful display playfully bursting with gobs of unpretentious juiciness and crunch. Well integrated herbal hints of thyme, fennel, and mint leaf provide a pinch of non-fruit complexity while subtle flecks of white pepper add an understated yet interesting spiciness. Mild suggestions of plucked flower petals gently impart bits of floral lift delicately underlaid with clean earthy notes of limestone and fresh salinity. Charmingly bright, lean, and crushable on the palate with an unquestionably fun and thirst-quenching personality; exhibiting a pure-fruited and pretty presentation that is complex and intriguing yet still chillable and perfectly refreshing. Light bodied with barely-there tannin backed by elevated acidity. This 2021 Central Coast Syrah by Metas Altas is an unconventional yet delicious red from California. 

Although it is often shaped into some of California's most concentrated and robust red wine, Syrah is also capable of being made in brighter and crunchier styles when it is grown in cooler regions and picked early to prioritize freshness. This bottling, crafted by Metas Altas using Syrah sourced from within California's Central Coast, is an exciting example of this noble grape at its most drinkable and delicious. This delicately presents plenty of tart yet expressive red and black fruits that come across and decidedly lean and juicy, and it backs them with subtle herbal notes, dainty florals, mild spicy qualities, and enjoyable earthiness. It is a great fit to serve chilled and likely best consumed young while it is at its freshest and most fruity, but will certainly hold for at least a few years. Yum.