The Mr. Picky® Santa Barbara Wine Tasting iPhone App is a guide to all of the wineries in Santa Barbara County (not just Santa Barbara County Vintner’s Association wineries) a few tasting rooms and wine bars, and a handful of Mr. Picky®-approved restaurants. The App will help guide users from the Urban Wine Trail in downtown Santa Barbara to the Wine Ghetto in Lompoc and all points in-between.

The Powerful Search Page in Mr. Picky®’s Santa Barbara Wine Tasting iPhone app Version 2.0

The Search page is the most powerful addition to V2 of the App. You can now search by using any or all of the following criteria:

1. Search Field (type in keywords like Merlot, Foxen, Santa Barbara Winery, etc.)
2. Select a Sub-region (Los Olivos, Santa Rita Hills, etc.).
3. Slide the Sideways button to the ON position to list wineries that were in the movie Sideways.
4. Slide the Mr. Picky’s Favorites button to the ON position to list Mr. Picky’s Favorite wineries.
5. Slide the My Favorites button to the ON position to view your favorite wineries.
6. Slide the Near Me button to the ON position to view list of wineries nearest you.

The Mr. Picky®’s Santa Barbara Wine Tasting iPhone App also offers these NEW features:


• Web: Click the Web button to take you to a winery’s website.
• My Favorites: You can now mark your favorite wineries by clicking the heart icon below a winery’s name. You can then access your favorites by clicking the heart button at the bottom of the screen.
• Map Button: Clicking the Map button will map the location of a winery without taking you out of the application.
• Directions Button: Formerly the Map button, the Directions button takes you into the Maps app to get directions to wineries and restaurants.
• Notes: Tap the Notes button in the upper right corner of your screen to write notes about a winery.
• Mr. Picky’s Favorites: Mr. Picky’s favorite wineries are now marked with a P, instead of an F, to the right of the winery name.
• Near Me: The Near Me function still exists but is now incorporated into the Search function at the bottom of the App.

Recycle That Old Map!


Here are some advantages of using the Mr. Picky® Santa Barbara Wine Tasting iPhone app over traditional wine tasting maps:

• It’s green. No trees were felled in the creation of Mr. Picky’s Santa Barbara Wine Tasting iPhone App.
• Mr. Picky’s Santa Barbara Wine Tasting iPhone App can be updated on the fly. For example, if a new winery opens on the Santa Barbara Wine Trail we can add it instantly: If a restaurant shuts down, we can delete it.
• Most winery descriptions come directly from Mr. Picky. We have tasted at virtually every Santa Barbara winery and tasting room.
• Easy to use: Call one of the Santa Barbara restaurants or Santa Ynez wineries by pushing the Call Button on your Santa Barbara Wine Tasting iPhone app; Get directions by pushing the Directions button.
• Restaurants: Most maps don’t list restaurants. But Mr. Picky® Santa Barbara Wine Tasting iPhone App displays a list of hand-picked restaurants.

 Please see Mr. Picky’s other wine tasting iPhone apps:
 Santa Barbara Wine Tasting iPhone Application; 
Paso Robles Wine Tasting iPhone application; 
Temecula Wine Tasting iPhone application; 
Ventura Wine Tasting iPhone application
; Napa Wine Tasting iPhone app coming soon.

“That was a birthday gift from Aunt Linda.”

“But I’m just having a small taste.”

“It’s supposed to be for special occasions. I want this stuff to last.”

“But I’m just having a small taste.”

“But it was a birthday gift for me.”

This was a first. Mrs. Picky has never stopped me from opening a bottle of wine no matter how special it is. At first I thought she was being selfish, but slowly realized that she, like I, loved this port. Since I didn’t want to sleep on the couch, I decided to pour the port back into the bottle, but not before taking a sip of this heavenly juice.

It’s also important to point out that we are not big fans of port. But something about Violeta is so powerful that it is creating conflict in the Picky home. Violeta, Paso Port’s flagship port, is made exclusively from traditional Portuguese varietals and there is a delicate, sweet spiciness that has us wanting more.

Below are descriptions of Violeta and other Paso Port offerings from Paso Port’s website and the story of Paso Port.

2007 PASO PORT VIOLETA
Tasting Notes
Complex, sweet spice and herbal elements of mace, anise, candied ginger and wintergreen, soar aromatically above the deeper fruit scents which can best be described as fresh-baked blueberry pie. The flavors are a port lover’s tour-de-force, with a dynamic flavor profile of cassis liqueur, wild elderberry and rich, decadent dark chocolate. Drier and more structured than Ruby, our 2007 Violeta Portuguese-style port is capable of being cellared similar to a fine Vintage port.

Awards
Gold Medal – Orange County Wine Competition :: Bronze Medal – Central Coast Wine Competition

Vineyard Notes
Sourced exclusively from the Glenrose Vineyard

Production Notes
53% Touriga * 28% Souzao * 19% Tinta Cao

Winemaker’s Notes
Each varietal is fermented separately in small stainless steel tanks. Frequent punch-downs and pump-overs of the fermenting must is performed daily until reaching between 12 – 15 brix, when the must is pressed, fortification to 18 – 19% Alc. finishes the process. Aging takes place in 10 year old barriques for approximately 2 years prior to being bottled.

Production
631 Cases

Where to buy:
Pasoportwine.com – $32

PASO PORTS’ OTHER OFFERINGS

Ruby pays homage to the history of port-style wine production in California. The centerpiece of Ruby is Zinfandel, which will always remain a true Californian varietal. Petite Sirah and Syrah have been added to this blend to add some complexity and structure to this unique blend. The tradition of Ruby is to honor California winemaking, while adhering to the principles of fortified wine production which always remains at the heart of our effort.

Two aged Ports finish up our portfolio of Ports. Angelica and Tawny both provide a beautiful addition to our two Ruby style ports. Angelica is a wondrous blend of Verdelho, Muscat and Chenin Blanc.  This is a wine many have waited for ever since we started barrel-tasting the components of this wine in the summer of 2009.  It is a truly unique and memorable Aged White Port.

Tawny is composed of the same grape varieties in our Violeta Port, but with the addition of hand-selecting individual barrels which have received longer aging.  This aged port posses rich, mellow tones, which make it an ideal late night treat.

PASO PORT STORY
PasoPort is a small family-owned winery dedicated to producing fine, fortified dessert wine. The winegrowing region of Paso Robles is an untapped and, in our opinion, ideal location for making this style of wine.

So, why exclusively produce just Port-style wines? Owner’s Steve and Lola Glossner share in the day-to-day operations of this small family owned winery.  Steve has over a decade of experience producing wines from within the Paso Robles appellation. As a present day wine consultant, Steve is involved with a number of different winery owners producing a broad range of table wines. With his immersion in all these different programs, producing dessert wines for his own label provides Steve an important creative outlet while not competing with any of the wines he produces for his clients. Besides, making fortified dessert wines is a heck of a lot more fun!

Check out this hilarious video from the The Colbert Report about drinking alcohol, as overdone by guest Steve Carell. Perhaps if Carell had purchased the Mr. Picky® Moderation Wine Glass he wouldn’t have vomited in Colbert’s car and would have felt a lot better the next morning.

As we sat at their dining room table Lynne and Dave told us their story of how they discovered this beautiful property and how Steve Glossner, one of Paso Robles premier winemakers, offered to make their wine. The Rhone and Bordeaux blends were delicious and paired perfectly with select cheeses.

Lynne and Dave also run the Creekside B&B, which is about 50 yards from the Teckman’s home. We had the pleasure of staying there a couple of weeks ago and had a wonderful stay. The B&B was absolutely perfect with a fireplace, king-sized bed, murphy bed, luxurious linens, fully stocked kitchen, and an iPhone/iPod docking station. Outside is a private deck with a BBQ, fireplace, party lights, and chairs. A river runs by the property, which is surrounded by a “forest” of oak trees and plants. That evening we barbecued salmon, lit a fire in the fireplace, and enjoyed our Per Cazo wine. It was a truly magical stay.

A wine tasting with an assortment of cheeses is included in the cost of the B&B. After tasting all of the wines we were allowed to choose a bottle to take with us. We chose the 2010 Tres Blanc, which is a blend of 45% Grenache Blanc, 35% Roussanne, and 20% Viognier as it was so refreshing and a great way to kick off our happy hour.

Breakfast is also included in the cost of the B&B. The day before, Lynne and Dave asked us what our dietary requirements were. The next morning each of us were presented with a tasty frittata that reflected our dietary requirements as well as a blend of fresh squeezed juices, a bowl of ripe fruits, and toast. We highly recommend Per Cazo, a Mr Picky favorite, as well as their B&B.

PER CAZO WINE (From the Per Cazo Website):

Per Cazo Cellars makes 4-6 wines per year totaling less than 1000 cases. We specialize in Rhone style blends and varietals as well as some wonderful Bordeaux’. Our Rhones are full bodied Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel varietals, the likes of which the Westside of Paso Robles is known.

The Bordeaux’ use the luscious Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes from the best Paso Robles vineyards. We hope these discreet vineyards will remain our little secret.

Our gold medal winning white wine is a blend of the Rhone varietals Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier. We think of this as a white wine for red wine drinkers. You know who you are and we encourage you to try our Tres Blanc. You won’t be disappointed!

 White Wine:

2009 Tres Blanc
A blend of three white Rhone Varietals, 42% Grenache Blanc, 34% Roussanne and 24% Viognier. This blend is designed as a white wine for red wine drinkers. With some complexity and layers not often found in a white wine. The floral finish with a hint of sweetness is the signature of Paso Robles Viognier. 220 cases made.
BEST OF CLASS Central Coast Wine Competion

2010 Tres Blanc
45% Grenache Blanc, 35% Roussanne, 20% Viognier.
Tres Blanc has the nose of stone fruit perfumed with honeysuckle. Crisp, bright fruit flavors meld with floral notes. This wine has body that fills the palate but enough acidity to leave your mouth feeling refreshed.
Is that a dose of citrus on the finish?
375 cases
BEST OF CLASS Central Coast Wine Competion

Red Wines:

Syrapé
What an fantastic blend! This beautiful wine is luscious from the first whiff. The 100% dry farmed fruit is naturally balanced in the vineyard and the best varietal characteristics are coaxed from the winemaker resulting in a full-bodied red. It gains depth and nuance on the finish.
119 cases

Petite Sirah
This is a wine with backbone. Complex yet drinkable, don’t be fool by the deep, dark color. The acidity and tannins boldly stand up to its fruit forward nature. If your are bored with Cabs, this is one adventure that will deliver.
121 Cases

2009 Confluent
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc
Smooth and supple, this classic Bordeaux blend styled wine will wow you with luscious layered black cherry, currant and plum flavors mingling with a spicy, earthy dimension. The tannins unfold throughout leading to a long lasting finish. Lynne’s favorite and soon to be yours!
247 cases
GOLD MEDAL OCWS

2009 Epi Telos
58% Syrah, 27 % Grenache, 7% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah, 3% Mourvedre
Complex yet elegant, this Rhone blend has wonderful aromatics on the nose, exhibiting bright berries turning to blackberry while the bouquet lingers on. On the palate the aromatics push forward to dark cherry and mint chocolate. This beautifully structured wine has rich tannins with a finish that lingers on leaving you reaching for another sip…..enjoy!
316 cases
Now Available in Magnums!
SILVER MEDAL OCWS

ZinG
A unique blend of Zinfandel and Grenache is a medium body, food friendly wine with a slightly fruitier taste than its original 2006 predecessor. This 31% Zinfandel, 69% Grenache blend still has that peppery finish to the delight of Zinfandel aficionados.

2009 Zinfandel
100% Dry Farmed Zinfandel A rich, ripe wine that brings its “A” game to the glass. The fruity aroma holds hints of blackberries and caramelized plum and that first sip delivers a graceful, elegant and deftly balanced wine. Bright acidity at the top of the palate. Relish the refined and harmonious finish with a touch of spicy white pepper that unfolds like ribbons.
121 cases
SILVER MEDAL OCWS
SILVER MEDAL CCWC

FROM THE WINEMAKER
This is my special little project with 2.8 acres of Syrah at White Hawk Vineyard on Cat Canyon Road in Los Alamos.  The original idea was for me to have my own little block to try to push the envelope…experiment with cover crops, with farming practices, and then in the cellar.

We grafted the Eastern most section of the Lower block: 38 short rows of mediocre chardonnay vines over to Syrah in 2002.  The 2003 was the first production off those grafts.

I hand picked two Syrah clones to work with the ancient sand dune soil: Clone 174 and Clone 470. These two clones produce wines with elegant juicy blackberry fruit balanced by White Hawk’s mineral vein. Aged in 35% new American oak barrels, and seasoned French Oak barrels for 23 months.

2008 vintage was ideal for this wine, and only the second bottling of Trentotto File, after the 2003.

The balance of the Trentotto File bottling can only happen when both clones have very good vintages.  Using the intense spice from the Clone 174, and the meat & game from the Clone 470. The kiss of new American Oak at 35% slightly sweetens the fruit.  The vintage’s lower 13.4% alcohol pulls back the intensity of the nutrient poor sandy soil.

The bottling is meant to match with the table, not to overpower, and complements and heightens the food’s flavors, as the food complements and completes the wine.

ABOUT WHITE HAWK VINEYARD (from www.viewinery.com)
The White Hawk Vineyard is planted on ancient sand dunes on the south facing slope of Cat Canyon, a side of the Los Alamos Valley in Santa Barbara County. It’s 21 miles west of the Pacific and 2 miles north of Los Alamos and planted at 900 feet elevation. This region is recognized as a top producing wine region. Fog often embraces the small vineyard in the morning before gentle afternoon breezes chase it away to allow the sun’s rays to slowly ripen the fruit.

We custom farm using sustainable and primarily organic viticulture. The yields are miniscule and the berries intense with a strong core of acidity is complemented by elements of meat and blackberries. Although Chardonnay is also planted in this 75 acre vineyard, much of White Hawk’s vineyard is planted with Syrah clone 1 on 5c rootstock or Syrah clone 6 on 140R rootstock. Fruit from White Hawk vineyard is shared with other prominent wineries including Ojai Vineyard, Andrew Murray Vineyards, Herman Story Wines, and Sine Qua Non.

White Hawk vineyard fruit is also used by Longoria Winery, IO Winery, Clos Mimi Wines, Silver Winery, Ingersoll Wine, Royal Oak Winery, Rideau Vineyard, Paige 23 Wines, Sea Smoke Cellars, and Wild Horse Winery

 295 cases bottled unfined & unfiltered.

RATINGS:
Rhone Report Issue 10, Dec 2011: 90+ points.
Richard Jennings: 91 points.
2011 Family Winemakers San Francisco Tasting; 91+ points.

WHERE TO BUY: $28.00 at Silver Wines.

Winemaker’s Notes:
The 2009 Fiddlestix Pinot is medium ruby in color with an expressive nose of Bing cherry, cranberry, blueberry, and iron. The palate is pure and layered, with black cherry, berry, briar and graphite notes backed up by lush tannin and good acidity. This is a rich wine that remains light on its feet, a beautiful combination of juicy fruit and classic early, minerally Pinot flavors. 110 cases produced.

Rating: Stephen Tanzer, 91 points

Where to Buy: Available at Pali Wine Co. for $48 per bottle; lowest price online is $44.50 at Pearson’s Wine & Spirits.

The following article from PrinceOfPinot.com highlights Pali Wine Co. Pinot Noirs.

From PrinceOfPinot.com
Pali Wine Co. was founded in 2005 by Tim Perr, Scott Knight and a group of investors who agreed to finance a new winery in Lompoc in exchange for Brian Loring’s (Loring Wine Co.) winemaking skills. Pali is named for the Los Angeles suburb of Pacific Palisades where the investors live and work. Pali is an ambitious effort, producing ten different single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from top vineyards including Inman Olivet, Keefer Ranch and Thorn Ridge Ranch in the Russian River Valley, Shea and Momtazi in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and Fiddlestix and Turner in the Santa Rita Hills. Three value-priced appellation blends named for different neighborhoods in the Pacific Palisades are produced as well. A state of the art winery was completed in time for the 2007 vintage. This is the first building in Lompoc constructed specifically as a winery.

Total production in 2007 was 3,000 cases, all bottled under screw cap except the rosé. The entire lineup is solid with the Shea Vineyard bottling being the top dog. All of the wines are fruit-driven and lush with an appealing upfront style. Kenneth Juhasz has taken over for Brian Loring as consulting winemaker. Pali wines are distributed to fine retail stores and are sold to a mailing list. The winery is located at 1601 W Central, Unit F2, Lompoc. Tasting is by appointment (805-736-7200).

2009 Pali “Alphabets” Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 1,030 cases, $19. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels.· This wine rises above its humble upbringing. Lovely aromas of raspberry jam on brioche with a hint of coffee: breakfast in a Pinot. Very tasty medium weighted flavors of raspberries and cherries with accents of dark chocolate and coffee. Juicy, crisp and refreshing, this smooth player has just enough intense flavor and persistence on the finish to make you sit up and take notice. Very good.

2009 Pali “Bluffs” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 1,229 cases, $19. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels. · Starts out with a flamboyant perfume of black cherries, sage and coriander seeds but fades over time, becoming less interesting with notes of cherry cola and raisins. Candied cherry flavors with a savory herbal note on the relatively short finish. A smooth operator that seduces more with the flavors than the aromas. Good.

2009 Pali “Riviera” Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 3,576 cases, $19. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels. · Difficult to coax much aromatic interest out of this wine presently, offering subdued aromas of black cherries, black raspberries and oak. Much more interesting in the mouth, with pleasing red fruit flavors set off by bright acidity. Fruit-driven and highly drinkable. Good.

2009 Pali Wine Co. “Huntington” Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 1,215 cases, $19, screw cap. Part of Pali Wine Co.’s Cuvée Program of appellation-specific Pinot Noir using purchased grapes declassified from the premium wine lineup. Aged 15 months in 30% new French oak barrels. · Moderately intense color in the glass. The aromatics are striking with a plethora of black cherry, black raspberry and spice box aromas veering to the riper side. Modestly intense flavors of black cherries, dark berries and black currants with a smoky edge. The fruit closes in on over ripeness. Juicy with restrained tannins and a lingering note of cherry on the fruity finish which could use an acid uplift. Decent (+).

2009 Pali Wine Co. Cargasacchi Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $48, screw cap. Dijon 115 clone. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Medium red-purple color in the glass. The nose is primarily savory with aromas of humus, underbrush, oak spice and flowers. Rustic and earthy, with a mediumbodied core of dark raspberry and plum fruit that lingers on the relatively long finish which displays slightly cooked fruit and a floral tone. Still sporting notable ripe tannins that need time to fully integrate. Good (+).

2009 Pali Wine Co. Fiddlestix Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 112 cases, $48, screw cap. Clones 667, 777, 115 and Pommard 4 from this vineyard that was planted in 1998. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Aromas of deep, dark fruits with hints of oak, spice and vanillin, veering to roasted fruit aromas over time in the glass. Intense and attention-grabbing flavors of blackberries, black raspberries, black currants and the faintest oak, persisting on the fruit-driven finish. Very plush and soft in the mouth. Plenty to like in this wine, but the ripeness of the fruit distracts. Good (+).

Original article was posted here:

Ratings:
89 points, Wine Spectator
91 points, Wine & Spirits

Where to buy: Lowest price online is $12.95 at NapaCabs.com. Also available for $13.89 at Costco, and $20 at St. Supery:

Photo courtesty of www.estatevaults.com

From medicalxpress.com

Drinking red wine in moderation may reduce one of the risk factors for breast cancer, providing a natural weapon to combat a major cause of death among U.S. women, new research from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center shows.

The study, published online in the Journal of Women’s Health, challenges the widely-held belief that all types of alcohol consumption heighten the risk of developing breast cancer. Doctors long have determined that alcohol increases the body’s estrogen levels, fostering the growth of cancer cells.

But the Cedars-Sinai study found that chemicals in the skins and seeds of red grapes slightly lowered estrogen levels while elevating testosterone among premenopausal women who drank eight ounces of red wine nightly for about a month.

White wine lacked the same effect.

Researchers called their findings encouraging, saying women who occasionally drink alcohol might want to reassess their choices.

“If you were to have a glass of wine with dinner, you may want to consider a glass of red,” said Chrisandra Shufelt, MD, assistant director of the Women’s Heart Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and one of the study’s co-authors. “Switching may shift your risk.”

Shufelt noted that breast cancer is the leading type of women’s cancer in the U.S., accounting for more than 230,000 new cases last year, or 30 percent of all female cancer diagnoses. An estimated 39,000 women died from the disease in 2011, according to the American Cancer Society.

In the Cedars-Sinai study, 36 women were randomized to drink either Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay daily for almost a month, then switched to the other type of wine. Blood was collected twice each month to measure hormone levels.

Researchers sought to determine whether red wine mimics the effects of aromatase inhibitors, which play a key role in managing estrogen levels. Aromatase inhibitors are currently used to treat breast cancer.

Investigators said the change in hormone patterns suggested that red wine may stem the growth of cancer cells, as has been shown in test tube studies.

Co-author Glenn D. Braunstein, MD, said the results do not mean that white wine increases the risk of breast cancer but that grapes used in those varieties may lack the same protective elements found in reds.

“There are chemicals in red grape skin and red grape seeds that are not found in white grapes that may decrease breast cancer risk,” said Braunstein, vice president for Clinical Innovation and the James R. Klinenberg, MD, Chair in Medicine.

Provided by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Original story appeared here:

FROM THE WINEMAKER

The 2008 Larner Vineyard Syrah – is the only wine we make exclusively from new French ENTAV Syrah clones. This means the wine has a more spice driven focus. It is elegant, dark, and fruitful. The grapes marry with the sand and limestone vineyard site giving this wine a character reminiscent of the great Northern Rhone syrahs. 43% of this wine was whole cluster fermented. (300 cases produced).

• Larner Syrah harvested October 5th (Clone 174 25.4 brix, 3.35 pH)
• Larner Syrah harvested October 17th (Clone 383 25.6 brix 3.4 pH, Estrella 25.4 brix 3.45 pH)
• Fourteen barrels were selected from a total lot of twenty nine to make this reserve wine. The remaining Fifteen were blended into the Santa Barbara County Syrah.
• Six barrels had wine that was fermented by foot stomping the whole clusters. (43%)
• Eight barrels had wine that was fermented with destemmed, whole berry fruit. (57%)
• Four new oak barrels were used (29%); Two American, One French, and one Eastern European.
• The whole cluster and stemmed fruit was cold soaked for 48 hours before fermentation.
• RC212, and D254 yeast used.
• Vineyard site is a steep south-facing slope of sand overlying limestone.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in January.
• Wine was racked in July, and again before bottling.
• Unfined and unfiltered.
• Bottled in September 2009.
• Produced in 750 ml and 1.5L bottles.

RATINGS
The Wine Advocate, 93 Points: The outstanding, dense ruby/purple-tinged 2008 Syrah Larner Vineyard is brilliant. Tasting like a California version of a rich, concentrated Crozes-Hermitage from the northern Rhone, it offers up scents of tapenade, creme de cassis, licorice, pepper, and meat juices. Full-bodied with loads of fruit as well as impressive complexity, it should drink well for 7-8+ years. One of Santa Barbara’s superstar wineries, Jaffurs has been on fire over recent vintages. Craig Jaffurs is certainly one of the pedal-to-the-metal, brilliant young winemakers in Santa Barabara, and his wines reflect his commitment to quality and dedication to such extraordinary grapes as Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, and Roussanne. Grenache is probably the second most difficult grape in the world to produce high quality wine from (with Nebbiolo first).

WHERE TO BUY: Lowest price online is $39.99 at Premiercru.com.

FROM THE WINEMAKER
The 2008 Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah is always our darkest wine. It is extracted and rich with surprising density and power. It has a candy-spice-cherry-raspberry-sweet tar aroma and a thick, smooth, dark-fruit taste. Only eight barrels of this wine were produced. (228 cases produced)

• This wine is 100% Estrella Clone Syrah fruit from the high saddle of Z(b) Block at Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley appellation. This is an extremely cool vineyard site and is exposed to constant marine air flow.
• Bien Nacido Vineyard harvested on October 16th at 27.0 brix, 3.1 pH, 2.0 TPA.
• The fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for fermentation.
• Fermented on the skins in small bin boxes for 14 days after a 48 hour cold soak.
• Fermented with RC212 and D254 yeast strains.
• Only 8 barrels of this wine were produced.
• Made using two new French barrels, two new American barrels, plus four older French and American barrels.
• Wine was racked in mid July, and again before bottling.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in January
• Unfined and lightly filtered.
• 18 month barrel age.
• Bottled in May 2010

RATINGS
The Wine Advocate, 97 Points: Jaffurs also makes a Syrah from Santa Maria’s most famous vineyard, Bien Nacido. The 2008 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard is black/purple, with an extraordinary nose of asphalt, graphite, blueberry and blackberry liqueur intermixed with some earth and spice. Off-the-charts richness, intensity, and potential for future evolution make this an absolutely prodigious tour de force in Syrah. This is a sensational wine to drink over the next 10-15+ years. The wine’s finish has literally no hard edges but just goes on and on for a good 45+ seconds. This is just fabulous wine.

WHERE TO BUY: Available only as 2011 club shipment from Jaffurs Wine Cellars.