The grapes for our Ballard Canyon Estate Syrah release are from the vineyards around the winery, located in beautiful Ballard Canyon. Situated in the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation, Ballard Canyon has its own nuances and micro-climates that make it a near-perfect place for Rhone grape varietals such as Syrah. This bottling contains classic Ballard Canyon aromas of cassis and blackberry, with hints of licorice. Concentrated flavors of dried cherries, blackberries and cocoa mix with velvety tannins that linger on the palate.

Brought directly to the winery in the early hours of the morning, the grapes were de-stemmed, fermented in small 1-ton bins, then punched down by hand numerous times each day to extract all the dark colors, spicy flavors and smooth tannins from the grape skins.

92 - Wine Spectator   |   91 - Wine Enthusiast   |   91 - Vinous   |   90 - Jeb Dunnuck