2022 Jaffurs Upslope Syrah

The flagship from this great estate, the 2022 Syrah Upslope is a blend of Larner (60%), Bien Nacido (20%), and Kimsey (20%) vineyards based on 99% Syrah with 1% Viognier co-fermented and aged 22 months in 40% new French oak. Its saturated purple hue is followed by a sensational perfume of cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, building tannins, remarkable purity, and a great finish. This classy, structured, incredibly impressive Syrah is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and knock your socks off over the coming decade. Drink 2027-2037. Jaffurs continues to be one of Santa Barbara County's premier Syrah specialists. The lineup includes five single-vineyard Syrahs and a Petite Sirah, all showing the focused, structured style that defines this estate today. The Syrahs come from diverse terroirs, including the cool-climate Donnachadh in Sta. Rita Hills, Thompson’s sandy soils in Alisos Canyon, the classic Bien Nacido in Santa Maria Valley, and the warmer Larner in Ballard Canyon. Each shows a distinct character. The flagship Upslope is always a selection of the best in a vintage and largely pulls from Larner, Bien Nacido, and Kimsey vineyards. Having been able to take part in a recent retrospective going back the first cuvée in 2003, I can say with confidence that this is one of California’s most age-worth Syrahs. Most of these single vineyards see modest new oak (25-40%) and are co-fermented with small amounts of Viognier. The Petite Sirah from Alisos Canyon exemplifies the more restrained, focused style the estate favors today, as opposed to the blockbuster approach of the past.