Ojai Syrah Santa Barbara 2016 (75cl, 13.5%)

Ojai Syrah Santa Barbara 2016 is a Syrah-based red blend from The Ojai Vineyard in Santa Barbara County, California. It draws on John Sebastiano and Roll Ranch Syrah, Grenache from John Sebastiano and Sangiovese from White Hawk Vineyard, fermented with 30% whole clusters and aged in new French oak. The vineyard sites sit on steep, wind-blasted slopes in a fog-cooled corridor of northern Santa Barbara County. On the nose there are blue fruit, violets, peppery herbs, mineral notes, tobacco and game. The palate is fresh and light, with blueberry, dark plum, earthy tones, fleshy roundness and red-fruit lift, plus textural grip from whole-cluster fermentation. The finish is medium-long with cracked pepper, dried herbs and a fine mineral thread.