Zaca Mesa
Black Bear Block Syrah
Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
Fresh on the nose with deep plum and some spice. Smooth fruit but not particularly complex and a little lacking in length
Fresh on the nose with deep plum and some spice. Smooth fruit but not particularly complex and a little lacking in length
Dec 29th, 2021From a VIP tasting with Dane Campbell at Zaca Mesa, 5 vintages of Bkack Bear, this was my clear favorite out of a stellar field. Perhaps the greatest domestic Syrah I've ever tasted. Sublime, softened tannin, still vervet and full of life. Fruit, umami, earth for days. So damned good! Still 5 years in it. Eric and Clay killed this one!!
From a VIP tasting with Dane Campbell at Zaca Mesa, 5 vintages of Bkack Bear, this was my clear favorite out of a stellar field. Perhaps the greatest domestic Syrah I've ever tasted. Sublime, softened tannin, still vervet and full of life. Fruit, umami, earth for days. So damned good! Still 5 years in it. Eric and Clay killed this one!!
2 people found it helpfulJul 18th, 2015
Blackberry, cassis, chocolate. Balanced black fruits. Delicious!
Blackberry, cassis, chocolate. Balanced black fruits. Delicious!
1 person found it helpfulJun 27th, 2014
100% new oak is not usually what I look for with Syrah, but what the hell.
100% new oak is not usually what I look for with Syrah, but what the hell.
Jan 7th, 2017
No signs of age, shows flawless in the glass. Mocha and raisins on the nose. On the sip tight, bone dry tannins get your attention, followed by smoked meats, oak, hints of allspice and plum...very complex. Finishes soft with balanced acidity which bring back a "wet" mouth feel ending with touches of smoke and cassis.
No signs of age, shows flawless in the glass. Mocha and raisins on the nose. On the sip tight, bone dry tannins get your attention, followed by smoked meats, oak, hints of allspice and plum...very complex. Finishes soft with balanced acidity which bring back a "wet" mouth feel ending with touches of smoke and cassis.
Aug 9th, 2016
This will only get better with age and it’s already terrific. The biggest takeaway for me was the lingering taste of hot chocolate mix; subtle but undeniable. The bouquet is stuffed with cedar shavings, the dark fruit is strong but not obnoxious and the tannins coat the tongue, rather than attack it.
This will only get better with age and it’s already terrific. The biggest takeaway for me was the lingering taste of hot chocolate mix; subtle but undeniable. The bouquet is stuffed with cedar shavings, the dark fruit is strong but not obnoxious and the tannins coat the tongue, rather than attack it.
Nov 17th, 2018My 1997 Silver Select bottled as B3. Still alive, rough hot vintage for bright fruit, acid & longevity.
My 1997 Silver Select bottled as B3. Still alive, rough hot vintage for bright fruit, acid & longevity.
Dec 31st, 2014