2021 Presqu'ile Syrah Estate
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2021 Syrah was fermented with 80% whole clusters and aged in 20% new puncheons. The nose is chock-full of timeless Santa Maria Valley Syrah aromas, including beef jerky, olive brine, white pepper and dried cloves. The palate perfectly balances plush concentration with tensile lift, finishing rich and savory with a pleasant oak framing. This is one of the highlights of the Presqu'ile portfolio, as this site seems particularly suited to the varietal.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Lastly, the 2021 Syrah Presqu'Ile Vineyard (25% whole clusters) is a straight-up black pepper bomb that has some gamey, Cornas-like notes of bloody red and blue fruits, iron, spring flowers, and sandalwood. With medium-bodied richness, a pure, focused mouthfeel, and fine tannins, it builds nicely with time in the glass and is a complex, decidedly cool-climate Syrah that walks the edge on its wild, green character but holds it all together beautifully.
The 2021 Syrah Presqu'ile Vineyard is a terrific cold-climate Syrah from sandy soils. Blackberry, lavender, cracked black pepper, iron, game, tapenade and incense all race out of the glass. Readers who enjoy bold, pungent Syrahs will adore this. The 70% stem inclusion is on the high side, but it works here.
Darker plum-hued, with seriously herbal notes of blackberries, green herbs, cracked pepper, and almost green olive, the 2021 Syrah Santa Barbara County is medium-bodied, has firm tannins, and a lengthy finish. It reminds me slightly of some old school Saint-Joseph wines and offers lots of character, although you'll need to like green edge and pepper in your Syrah. It would be interesting to see where this goes with a year or three of bottle age.