I recently had the opportunity to taste wines at one of the better Santa Barbara spots for Syrah, Stolpman Vineyards. In their Los Olivos tasting room they were pouring some of their best juice – inky, yet terroir driven Syrahs. Roughly 20 years ago, Thomas Stolpman, founded his winery the hills of California’s Central Coast. The terroir is built on Limestone and is essentially unobstructed from the Pacific Ocean wind, which allows Syrah and Roussanne grapes to grow exceptionally well. Stolpman focuses on vineyard specific wines, and their winemaker, Sashi Moorman, has experience as both a New York chef and winemaker at The Ojai Vineyards. He joined the winemaking team in 2001 and has been crafting complex Syrahs since that time. I was particularly impressed with their 2012 ‘Originals’ Syrah, which was a complex and rich wine with blackberry, anise and black cherry, yet contained a wonderful terroir driven earthiness. Most Stolpman wines are reasonably priced around 30 bucks, although their higher end Syrahs will cost you around 40. Look for them either online or at Total Wines. Here are some of the great recent releases that I recently tried at Stolpman Vineyards. #stolpmanvineyards
2011 Stolpman Vineyards ‘L'Avion’- 100% Rousanne. Nice nose of pear, green apple and lychee. Palate has butter, golden delicious starfruit and lychee. Rich and viscous. Drink now. -92
2012 Stolpman Vineyards Rousanne - Made with 9% Chardonnay. Pear and butter, with oak and with mushroom. Palate has nice minerality with pear, red delicious and vanilla cream finish. Drink now. -92
2012 Stolpman Vineyards Grenache- Rose petals and vanilla with red cherry. Palate has white pepper, red cherry, and guava flavors. Nice acid structure. Delicious, drink now. -92
2011 Stolpman Vineyards Sangiovese- The wine sat 30 months in oak. Oak and raspberry on the nose. Mineral driven wine. Raspberry and strawberry flavored feminine wine. Drink now. -90
2013 Stolpman Vineyards Carbonic Sangiovese- Fermented in its skin. Raspberry and strawberry on the nose. Palate has strawberry, guava and slight orange peel. Delicious wine. Drink now. -89.
2012 Stolpman Vineyards ‘Orignals’ Syrah- Rich and smoky nose. Bacon fat, Provencale herbs, lavender. Palate has incredible depth. Smoked meats, minerals, blackberry, anise and black cherry and black olive. Delicious now but can cellar for two more. -94
2012 Stolpman Vineyards ‘Hilltop’ Syrah- Smoked meats and blackberry and blueberry on the nose. Palate has blackberry, violets, anise, black cherry and vibrant acidity. Drink now. -92
2012 Stolpman Vineyards ‘La Croce’- This is a blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Syrah. Nose has red cherry, and dried herbs. Palate has red cherry, raspberry and minerals. Needs time for the fruit to integrate. Drink in 2 plus years. -91