Santa Ynez Valley

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The John Sebastiano Vineyard is a new cool spot with close planted vines on steep hillsides near Santa Rita Hills in northern Santa Barbara County. This vineyard was a real revelation, we no longer had to search for an ethereal syrah, the fruit was so intense here it clobbered us on the head! Unlike other vineyards the fruit from Sebastiano bursts with freshness and acidity.

Blend:  90% Syrah & 10% Grenache | Vineyard: John Sebastiano | Location: Santa Barbara County |Alcohol 13.5% | Vinification: 100% Neutral French Oak | Barrel Aging: 13 Months | Total Production: 236 Cases

Press Reviews

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“Dark red cherry, plum, smoke and spice notes flesh out in the 2012 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard. A rich, ample wine, the 2012 dazzles with its depth and soft contours, although there is plenty of underlying weight and structure. The 2012 was made with fully destemmed fruit, so the fruit remains front and center. This fleshy, super-expressive Syrah will drink beautifully pretty much right out of the gate. Tasted next to the No SO2 bottling, the straight John Sebastiano Syrah is a bit less exuberant, but it, too, is very beautiful. This wind-swept site is one of the most pedigreed vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills.” – AG 93+ Points

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Also outstanding, the 2012 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard (100% destemmed Syrah) offers fabulous purity and freshness in its layers of blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, ground herbs and hints of olive paste. This rock-solid, medium to full-bodied Syrah opens up nicely in the glass, has a seamless texture and a clean, nicely focused finish. In short, it’s a classic, cool-climate Syrah that can be enjoyed anytime over the coming 4-6 years. ” – JD 91 Points