Splendid Santa Barbara Syrahs

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Over the past few vintages, Craig Jaffurs has emerged as one of Santa Barbara's finest, most consistent winemakers, with his wines going from strength to strength. His specialties include single-vineyard syrahs as well as a grenache. Wines from these two renowned Rhne Valley varietals are often referred to as "Rhne Rangers" when made in California. Following are some of the most recent releases from Jaffurs Wine Cellars, all noteworthy as well as realistically priced for their quality. The winery's fax number is 805 962-7007.



89+ points



2005 Syrah Thompson Vineyard Santa Barbara



An inky/purple-tinged effort revealing hints of tar, spring flowers, barbecue smoke, pepper, and cassis, this syrah plays it close to the vest. A broad, powerful, muscular, tannic, backward red, it requires one to two years of bottle age, and should evolve for a decade or more. $34



90 points



2006 Syrah Santa Barbara



This is a beautiful, lush, sexy effort revealing scents of charcoal, burning embers, blackberries, and cassis. Succulent with pure fruit, medium to full body, and a lush texture, it begs for consumption over the next three to four years. $23



90+ points



2005 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Barbara



The Bien Nacido Vineyard's earthy/graphite character as well as a more firm, muscular structure are obvious in this dense purple-colored effort. It reveals beautiful freshness [a characteristic of all these Jaffurs wines], full body, and a dense, powerful, but backward personality displaying high acidity. This cuve will benefit from one to two more years of bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2010-20+. $34



92 points



2006 Syrah Larner Vineyard Santa Barbara



Apparently available only in magnum, the 2006 Syrah Larner Vineyard emerges from a site that would merit grand cru status in France. [The Larner Vineyard nearly always produces wines with excellent minerality, ripe fruit, and a distinct personality.] This offering exhibits an inky/blue/purple color along with beautiful aromas of sweet black raspberries, black currants, crushed rocks, and acacia flowers. It is an opulent, full-bodied effort displaying a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, wood, and alcohol. Enjoy it now and over the next decade. $34



92 points



2006 Syrah Verna's Vineyard Santa Barbara



Another brilliant offering, the Syrah Verna's Vineyard offers sweet, juicy crme de cassis, black cherry, spring flower, licorice, and background wood characteristics. This full-bodied, deep, chewy, lush, impressively pure, textured, long syrah should drink well for 7-10 years. $38



93 points



2006 Syrah Ampelos Vineyard Santa Rita Hills



The stunning 2006 Syrah Ampelos Vineyard boasts an impressive black/purple color in addition to a gorgeous bouquet of bacon fat, graphite, crme de cassis, plums, and blackberries. Full-bodied as well as refreshingly elegant with terrific precision and minerality, this beauty can be enjoyed now or cellared for 8-10 years. $42