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

98 Points Jeb Dunnuck:  "The flagship 2021 Syrah Upslope is a top blend made from the single vineyard releases and checks in as 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier that saw 67% whole clusters and 22 months in 50% new oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a gorgeous nose of cassis, ground black pepper, iodine, and spring flowers, with some gamy, meaty background nuances coming through with time in the glass. Beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, and remarkably pure, with just about perfect tannins, it's a riveting Syrah that's accessible today yet has enough tannins to warrant 2-3 years in the cellar. It will blow you away any time over the following 10-15 years, and I suspect even longer."

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 2021 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.