Santa Barbara County Syrah

See Delectable 2018 review. Excellent.

A blend of 80% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 5% Grenache, and 5% Mourvèdre, aromas of big ripe fruits with herb pepper spice. On the palate fresh fruit flavors with cherry and plum flavors with sweet notes of cacao, licorice and toasty oak tones. Fine tannins, vivid acidity, medium length ending rich with smoky spice. Very nice! Tasting Sample!

A blend of 80% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 5% Grenache, and 5% Mourvèdre, aromas of big ripe fruits with herb pepper spice. On the palate fresh fruit flavors with cherry and plum flavors with sweet notes of cacao, licorice and toasty oak tones. Fine tannins, vivid acidity, medium length ending rich with smoky spice. Very nice! Tasting Sample!

Big boy.. Definitely a wine made for the big/jammy/toasty fan. Not my cup of tea, but made well and I'm sure has a following. Was a bit confused by the label.. Talked up as a benchmark for cool climate Syrah, but made in a warmer style.

The 2018 Syrah (Santa Barbara County) is superb. Rich, deep and fleshy, this striking, absolutely delicious Syrah has so much to offer. Blueberry, violet, lavender, chocolate, spice, licorice and black pepper capture the essence of cool-climate Syrah. The 2018 is an irresistible appellation-level wine that punches well above its weight. What a knock-out! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2020)

Great complexity.

I tend to be a fan Jaffurs, but this one is getting a little long in the tooth. It has that aged very ripe Syrah thing (hot stewed fruit) that I get from many Paso Syrahs of this era. Still enjoyable in a guilty pleasure kind of way.

Leaner than I remember, and for me that's a good thing. Pretty fruit, surprising balance, and (as usual) built for the long haul.

Surprisingly good, juicy and in balance

A standout among standouts at Jaffurs holiday party.