96+ points      
Rare release of Upslope Syrah form Jaffurs, one of our favorite boutique producers in Santa Barbara. Limited.

96+ Points Jeb Dunnuck:  "Last of the Syrahs, the flagship 2018 Syrah Upslope checks in as 97% Syrah and 3% co-fermented Viognier from a mix of the Larner and Bien Nacido vineyards. It was only one-third destemmed and brought up in 40% new French oak. A dense, backward, inward, yet potential-loaded beauty, its deep purple hue is followed by powerful notes of blackberries, liquid violets, ground pepper, and crushed stone. More brine and olive notes emerge with some coaxing, and it's full-bodied, with a rich, layered, concentrated mid-palate, lots of structure, and a great finish. It's going to play with the top wines in the vintage yet needs at least 2-3 years of bottle age."

One of the most exciting tasks each year is tasting through all of the reserve red wine barrels and creating Upslope, the best Syrah from the vintage. We look for intensity, concentration, balance, complexity, aging potential and that mysterious “wow” factor.  The 2018 Upslope is complex and densely structured. Aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry jam, licorice and violet frame this powerful wine. Dark berries persist on the palate, with crushed rock, and a long, tannic finish. This wine should be cellared 5-7 years past the vintage before hitting its stride, and can easily be kept for another 10-15.