Jeb Dunnuck-November 2009
I showed up smack dab in the middle of harvest for this visit and Adam was kind enough to spend
time with me, talking about his philosophy on winemaking, wine trends and wine critics. This estate is
located in Ojai, California and the wines possess age worthy, structured personalities. I was very
impressed by the Bien Nacido bottling and this vineyard seems to be on a roll with almost every wine
coming out of it showing not only stunning fruit but also depth and structure. It was particularly
enlightening to taste the 2000 Melville and I feel confident that these wines possess fantastic drinking
windows and can not only last, but improve in the bottle.
2006 Ojai Syrah Santa Barbara County Red 90
2006 Ojai Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard Red 94
2006 Ojai Syrah Roll Ranch Vineyard Red 90
2000 Ojai Syrah Melville Vineyard Red 92+
2006 Ojai Syrah Santa Barbara County (USA, California, Central Coast, SB County) $26
Sporting meaty black cherry, leather, earthy and mineral aromas, the 2006 Ojai Syrah Santa Barbara
County is medium to full bodied with great density, balance and richness. Drink this solid value over
the next 10 years. (90 pts.)
2006 Ojai Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley) $40
A stunning Syrah, the 2006 Ojai Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard has drop dead gorgeous aromatics of
both smoked and raw meat, fresh earth, decadent, pure dark fruit and toasted bread. The palate is
beautifully delineated, medium to full bodied, concentrated and very long. Give this beauty 4 to 5
years in the cellar and then enjoy over the next 10+. (94 pts.)
2006 Ojai Syrah Roll Ranch Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast) $40
The 2006 Ojai Syrah Roll Ranch Vineyard has copious amounts of ripe, dark fruit, licorice, meat and
earth aromas on the nose. The palate is medium to full bodied with a soft, lush texture sitting on top
of solid underlying structure. This should drink beautifully over the next 10 years. (90 pts.)
2000 Ojai Syrah Melville Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast,- Sta. Rita Hills) $65
Still youthful and tannic, the 2000 Ojai Syrah Melville Vineyard has a complex, nuanced bouquet of
dark fruit and underbrush aromas that are intermixed with fresh cut flowers, spiced meat and pepper
notes. Medium bodied on the palate, the wine is balanced, has a silky texture and shows copious
amounts of fine grained tannins on the long finish. The wine is aging beautifully and would still
benefit from another 2 to 3 years in the cellar. (92+ pts.)
