Syrah
2008 Syrah, Estate Grown and Bottled, Santa Ynez Valley
Our Estate:
Zaca Mesa Winery was the first to plant Syrah in Santa Barbara County in 1978. Today we farm 90 acres of Syrah on our estate comprising 9 different clones. The diversity of vine age and clones provides our wines with complexity and depth. Even with 30 years of experience with Syrah on our land, we continue to learn and improve our practices to make better wine.
Growing Season and Harvest:
After a relatively uneventful winter, the vines came to life in early April only to be frost bit in late-April. Thankfully, only a small portion of our vineyard was damaged. May’s weather was not any better with sprinkles and wind during the critical bloom period. After a heat spike of +100º in mid-June, things settled down to our normal 55º in the morning and 85º in the afternoon. Harvest started as usual in early September and went quickly as there were few grapes to pick. Another cold snap hit in mid-October, but it did not hurt as most of our grapes had been picked. Yields were low due to the weird weather but the quality was encouraging.
Winemaking:
After hand harvesting and sorting, the grapes were destemmed and placed into small open-top bins to cold-soak for several days and then to ferment. During fermentation, the rising grape skins were punched down twice a day resulting in wine of intense color, rich flavors and fine tannins. This wine was aged for sixteen months in French oak barrels; 35% of them were new.
The Wine:
Our Syrah displays rich blackberry, cassis, espresso, mocha and our signature sage spice aromas and flavors. The silky finish lingers from the ripe tannins and smoky oak. This full-bodied wine should be enjoyed over the next ten years. A traditional pairing for this wine is a rack of lamb marinated in rosemary and garlic. Grilled meats and bold cheese will also pair well.
~ Eric, Agustin, Ruben, Angel, Jose, Kent, Mary, Ramirez & Brook
Winemaking and Vineyard team
Others’ Opinions
2005 Vintage
“This is Zaca Mesa’s basic Syrah, and it’s quite a good wine. Dry and rich in tannins, it's showing complex flavors of black currants, black pepper, violets and cedar, with a meaty, leathery edge. Now through 2010.” 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast, May 2009
“Top Values” Wine Spectator, March 31, 2009
“Tight and beefy, with focused blueberry and wild berry flavors that are spicy and complex. Full-bodied, with a hint of stewed plum and wild berry peaking through on the finish. Drink now through 2015. —J.L.” 92 points, Smart Buy, Wine Spectator, Jan 31–Feb 28, 2009
2006 Vintage
#29 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines of 2010
"The first to plant Syrah in Santa Barbara County in 1978, Zaca Mesa was at the forefront of California Rhone wines in the early days and has regained its footing in recent vintages. Of the estate's 244 acres of vineyards, 90 are planted to nine different clones of Syrah. Aged for 16 months in French oaks barrels (30 percent new), this Santa Ynez Valley bottling is one of today's best values in California Syrah. Winemaker Clay Brock was replaced by Eric Mohseni in 2008. 12,325 cases made." Wine Spectator, December 31, 2010.
"Fans of expressively gamy Syrah should find a good deal to like here, but so too will those whoe like their Syrahs on the rich and well-ripened side. The wine is a big one, yet it is nicely balanced, and it does a fine job of hiding its heat. Neither its acidity nor its ample tannins are excessive, and the two are seamlessly fit. It is sufficiently fruity to enjoy early on but has the extract and depth to improve for a few years. Zaca Mesa seems to get it right with Syrah year in and year out. Well done." 91 points, 2-puffs, Good Value. Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, November 2010.
“Offering wonderful floral, grapey plum and wild berry aromas, this is rich, smooth and supple on the palate, with tiers dark berry, mocha, mineral and spice flavors that glide along. Drink now through 2015.—J.L.” 93 Points, Smart Buy, Wine Spectator, Jan 31-Feb 28, 2010.
"A beautiful wine. If more Syrahs were like this, especially at this price, more people would buy them. It's dry and smoothly tannic, with rich flavors of blackberries, bacon, chocolate and peppery spices. Try as an alternative to Zaca Mesa's much more expensive single vineyard and reserve Syrahs. It's almost as good." 91 points, Editors' Choice, Wine Enthusiast, September 2010.
