Black Sheep Finds
Hocus Pocus Syrah
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, USA
The second label to Amy Christine’s Holus Bolus, but still top-notch. From Santa Barbara! It gives ripe black fruit (cherries, plums, berries) for days with a touch of licorice and lilacs on the nose. The palate is spritely, with decent acid and sandy tannins adding grip to a surprisingly light-bodied blend. Easy-going but complex enough to add intrigue.
The second label to Amy Christine’s Holus Bolus, but still top-notch. From Santa Barbara! It gives ripe black fruit (cherries, plums, berries) for days with a touch of licorice and lilacs on the nose. The palate is spritely, with decent acid and sandy tannins adding grip to a surprisingly light-bodied blend. Easy-going but complex enough to add intrigue.
Nov 6th, 2024
Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits
Tasted blind, and I went to Languedoc with some of that meaty, stewed flavor. Touch of reductiveness that reminded me of Mouvedre... Pleasantly surprised to see a domestic syrah that has some old world flair! Nice wine, the reductiveness blew off and the pepper came out pretty strong, but still had that nice drippy dark cherry and plum flavor.
Tasted blind, and I went to Languedoc with some of that meaty, stewed flavor. Touch of reductiveness that reminded me of Mouvedre... Pleasantly surprised to see a domestic syrah that has some old world flair! Nice wine, the reductiveness blew off and the pepper came out pretty strong, but still had that nice drippy dark cherry and plum flavor.
Apr 19th, 2016
2012. Nice vintage. A bit more age and some breathing it shows lovely. Good black and red fruit. No harsh tannins. Very nice.
2012. Nice vintage. A bit more age and some breathing it shows lovely. Good black and red fruit. No harsh tannins. Very nice.
Mar 25th, 2015
Very Old World or Cool Climate tasting. This has really aged well. Very Northern Rhone tasting: black pepper, olive tapenade, black fruit, medium plus tannins. Surprising and excellent.
Very Old World or Cool Climate tasting. This has really aged well. Very Northern Rhone tasting: black pepper, olive tapenade, black fruit, medium plus tannins. Surprising and excellent.
Jan 12th, 2025
Needs to breathe for a little while. Very old world.
Needs to breathe for a little while. Very old world.
Sep 5th, 2018
Opened this bottle with some spicy indian coconut chicken curry but also lovely to drink unaccompanied or with some dark chocolate. Slightly tannic. Earthy and spiced. Olive on the nose.
Opened this bottle with some spicy indian coconut chicken curry but also lovely to drink unaccompanied or with some dark chocolate. Slightly tannic. Earthy and spiced. Olive on the nose.
Oct 7th, 2017