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Wine Recommendation
Jaffurs Wine Cellars
2003 Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard - Z(b) Bl(Santa Maria Valley)
Craig Jaffurs does not own any vineyards, but counts himself fortunate to source grapes from what he feels are the best sites in Santa Barbara County. A Rhone varietal specialist, Craig says his darkest Syrah almost always comes from Bien Nacido Vineyard, from a sub-block that is exposed constantly to the cool, on shore, marine breeze.
The 2003 Jaffurs Bien Nacido Syrah was the result of a great hang time that year, being harvested in the middle of October at 25 brix. The grapes were destemmed and the whole berries were fermented in small bin boxes for fourteen days. Aged sixteen months in 40 percent new French oak, the smoky toast from the barrel jumps out at you as dark wood spice. High toned and dense in the mouth, the wine has big impact flavors, with cherry, cassis and licorice going for it, in addition to the spice mix. A big Syrah with plenty of nuances, but equally as balanced; it is drinking well now, but could age easily for another five years.
Purchase this wine as part of the Bien Nacido Vineyards Collector’s Case, a unique offering of 12 vineyard designated wines from 12 different winemakers.
Reviewed April 3, 2007 by Dennis Schaefer.
The Wine
Winery: Jaffurs Wine Cellars |
The Reviewer
Dennis Schaefer
Dennis Schaefer has been tasting and writing about wine for over 30 years, propelled by a continuing curiosity and burgeoning enthusiasm for discovering what’s in the bottle. Blessed with catholic tastes, he enjoys everything from the obvious to the sublime. A major requirement is that the vineyard, winery and winemaker consistently perform well and fulfill their potential. Balance, concentration and complexity are key to the tasting experience but, in the end, the purpose of wine is simply to give pleasure. |