2007 Syrah, White Hawk and Premiere Costal Vineyards

Santa Barabara County

Get it while you can – this wine is screaming to be noticed and will sell out quickly. You'll want to stock up before Wine Spectator and Robert Parker get ahold of it and start espousing its virtues.

Seriously, this may be the best Syrah we've ever made. Inky black violet in color, the nose on this wine offers a voluptuous bouquet of blueberries, lavender, cassis, and classic coastal white pepper. Upon entry to the palate, the nectar exudes gobs of concentrated black fruits, accented by notes of pie spice and dark chocolate and balanced by good acidity and plenty of well-integrated, fine-grained tannins. The luxurious finish goes on forever, leaving the lasting impression of balanced intensity, elegance, and depth.

This wine will pair well with a rich grilled Filet Mignon, or rack of lamb marinated in a sauce with blueberries and/or blackberries, balsamic vinegar, laced with crushed coffee bean and shaved dark chocolate. This wine can be enjoyed now, especially if given proper aeration (try using a Vinturi device), and will continue to develop intricate layers of complexity for the next 15 – 20 years.

From our second harvest of our estate vineyard, the Syrah we picked was particularly intense and flavorful, with very small berries and low moisture content, producing a wine of remarkable depth and richness. This wine is similar in color to the Bennett Ridge Syrah, but possibly even darker and more glass-staining. As you put your nose into the glass, you are greeted with huge, rich aromas of blueberries, wild blackberries, and a border of white pepper. In the mouth, flavors continue to expand, revealing layers of berries, spice, violets, and lavendar. The finish seems eternal, with a luxuriant expansion of fruit and spice framed by a hint of caramel. The tannins are noticeably present, but well-integrated. The richness of this wine suggests it would be a great accompaniment to a big rich steak such as Filet Mignon or a thick New York Strip. When allowed sufficient aeration, this wine is approachable now, but will continue to evolve for several years; this is another wine I want to experience 15-20 years from now