93pts Vinous Media
The 2021 Syrah Santa Barbara County all from Rodney’s, is a stunning wine that shows how compelling this vintage is. Super-ripe black fruit, leather, spice, menthol, licorice, tobacco and black pepper scream out of the glass, saturating the palate with notable presence. The style here is on the riper side, with a healthy oak imprint that complements the approach beautifully. Drinking Window 2024 – 2031

Winemaker Blair Fox pulls from several top sites in Santa Barbara for these wines. The Fess Parker style offers quite a bit of immediacy and forward appeal. There’s plenty of nuance and intrigue to discover in some of the higher-end bottlings, but I am often drawn to the appellation wines for their very high quality and overall value. - By Antonio Galloni on July 2024

Terroir
Sourced from estate vineyards and select sites across Santa Barbara County, this Syrah reflects the region’s distinctive transverse mountain ranges, which funnel cool Pacific air inland. Vineyards influenced by the Santa Rita Hills and Happy Canyon corridors benefit from dramatic diurnal shifts, allowing extended hang time while preserving acidity and aromatic precision.

Soils vary from sandy loam and marine sediment to clay and shale, contributing both aromatic lift and structural depth. The 2021 vintage was marked by low yields and small berry size due to drought conditions, resulting in concentrated fruit with impressive intensity and balance.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
The wine is composed entirely of Syrah, harvested at optimal ripeness and carefully sorted. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel with a combination of pump-overs and punch-downs to achieve balanced extraction.

Aging takes place in French oak barrels, a portion of which are new, for approximately 16–18 months. The oak regimen is calibrated to add structure and spice while allowing the varietal character to remain prominent. The finished wine reflects both richness and precision, with alcohol and acidity harmoniously integrated.

Tasting Notes
The 2021 displays a deep garnet-purple core. Aromatically, it opens with blackberry, black plum, and blueberry compote layered over cracked black pepper, smoked meat, and violet. Secondary notes of cocoa, espresso, and subtle vanilla emerge with aeration.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet refined. Dark fruit is dense and concentrated, framed by firm but polished tannins. Savory elements—olive tapenade, charcuterie, and dried herbs—add complexity, while balanced acidity provides freshness and length.

The finish is persistent and layered, carrying notes of black fruit, spice, and mineral undertones.

Food Pairing & Service
Serve at 60–65°F and decant for at least one hour prior to serving. The wine pairs beautifully with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, rosemary lamb, or smoked brisket. It also complements hearty vegetarian dishes such as lentil stew or roasted eggplant with herbs.

Its savory depth and structure make it particularly suited to dishes featuring pepper, rosemary, or slow-cooked meats.

Cellaring & Longevity
The 2021 Santa Barbara County Syrah possesses the structure and concentration to age gracefully for 10–15 years. While expressive in its youth, additional time in bottle will allow tannins to soften and tertiary complexity to develop.

From 2026 onward, expect evolving notes of leather, dried herbs, and earthy spice to complement the fruit core. Properly cellared, it should remain vibrant and compelling through 2036 and beyond.