2018 Fingers Crossed Off The Record Syrah | Oak View, Ventura County California 750ml

A kaleidoscope of flavor, texture and scintillating aromatics. A real head turner...a peacock. Bien Nacido is indisputably one of the central coast's crowning achievements in viticulture. Established in 1973, and perhaps most well-known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. However, when you mix this "Grand Cru" site with Syrah, something magical happens. The noble fruit evolves into a wine that strides confidently out of the glass. We imparted 22% whole cluster during fermentation, and then raised this inky, iridescent lioness for roughly two years in 68% new French oak. We racked it once via gravity during elevage and added 2% Grenache, 2% Mourvedre, and a splash of Roussanne into the mix just before bottling. The color evokes imagery of a black panther, the mouthfeel of liquid cashmere, and a finish that doesn't let go. Our words don't do it justice... | Nikolas & Julia Krankl, Fingers Crossed

Another killer wine, and one that tops out on my scale...Dense purple-hued, with awesome notes of smoked black fruits, smoked game, ground pepper, beef blood, spice, and violets, this beauty is full-bodied and elegant, with a perfect mid-palate and a great, great finish. Only the second release from this winery, Another killer wine, and one that tops out on my scale...Dense puthis incredible Syrah seemingly has one foot in California with its ripe, sexy fruit and one foot in the Northern Rhone with its gamy, meaty, peppery, and wildly complex style. While it doesn't have the same weight as say Sine Qua Non, Alban, or Andremily, it's flawlessly balanced, insanely complex, and has a style all its own. | 100 points, Jeb Dunnuck for jebdunnuck.com