2020 Black Sheep Finds Syrah The Joy Fantastic - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (12/5/2022)Tasted over two nights.
This is an intensely savory Syrah. It’s all about meat, earth, smoke, and soy - umami from every direction. It has an underlying depth of richness that conveys California warmth, but not in terms of exuberant fruit. Even on night two he fruit remains hidden behind a wall of savory flavors and well managed tannins. I kept expecting the next sip to show more obvious fruit, but it kept pushing the savory. Loved the intensity, and that it didn’t push through with a high acid profile. It was just really surprising, bringing a style/profile that I would never have expected.