
Technical Details
Blend | Syrah |
Winemaker | John Benedetti |
Country | US |
Region | California North Coast |
Appellation | Santa Cruz |
Aging/Cooperage | 18 months in French oak |
Alcohol | 13.5 |
Production | 271 Cases cases |
Lester Family Vineyards Syrah Estate 2017
Syrah Blends | US
$22.95 $45.00 - 750mL
Normally $45, we scored a sweet little parcel last week -- here it is! This family winery is making huge waves on the Santa Cruz Mountains scene (we sell out as fast as we get them…), and the syrah is a TREAT. Shockingly good at $23, there’s tons of ripe fruit, structure, fantastic perfume, salivating acidity and savory elements that all just WORK. Lovely, wild flowers, blueberry, white pepper and gravel with gorgeous balance and cool secondary flavors of tapenade and sweet wood. Are we still talking about a $23 wine? This is a ridiculously good wine for the money!
After discovering his dream ranch was naturally suited for a vineyard, Dan Lester (along with wife Pat) planted the first vines for Lester Family Vineyards in 1998. The upper vineyard was planted in 2001. Well known for producing a variety of expressions of pinot noir, syrah, and chardonnay from a single plot of land, these vines have produced some of Santa Cruz Mountains’ most prized wines. With a waiting list of all-star growers lining up to get the grapes, they keep their best rows for themselves. Today, these grapes are the sole source of Lester Estate Wines.
We have a meager 20-ish cases for you today at this spectacular price...while it lasts!
PAIRING IDEAS: Kabobs. Your meat of choice and a bunch of onions and peppers, and do ‘em Greek style with EVOO, lemon, oregano, etc. Or get super-savory with soy, mirin, mustard, brown sugar and balsamic...perfect. Wrap it in a pita or our fave, naan.
MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: Try some Billy Strings! Bluegrassy/Americana guitarist pretty much blowing up the world right now. Works great with syrah, trust us!
Technical Details
Blend | Syrah |
Winemaker | John Benedetti |
Country | US |
Region | California North Coast |
Appellation | Santa Cruz |
Aging/Cooperage | 18 months in French oak |
Alcohol | 13.5% |
Production | 271 Cases cases |
About The Producer
Reviews
Wine Enthusiast
Tart black-plum and baking-spice aromas are quickly consumed by funkier, earthier elements of tar, crushed rocks and game on the nose of this bottling. The snappy dark-fruit flavors pair expertly with savory bay leaf, sage and cracked pepper flavors, leading into a finish that's full of pepper-crusted teriyaki beef elements.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby, the 2017 Syrah Lester Family Vineyards is shy to begin. Over time, it offers aromas of blackcurrant, cracked black peppercorn, dried blueberries, crushed red and black cherries and notes of stone and flowers. It’s medium-bodied and very elegantly styled in the mouth, slowly unfurling to floral perfume and peppery black and blue fruits. It has a lacy structure of tannins and gorgeous mouthwatering acidity, finishing long and layered. Lovely example of cool-climate Syrah.
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