Lester Family Vineyards Syrah Estate 2017

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!