2009 Ojai Vineyard, Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley.
It was a pleasure to taste through a big lineup of Ojai wines again and see how Adam Tolmach’s style has progressed in recent vintages. I must say, they still are very much terroir and elegant wines with nice balance and lovely textures, I really enjoyed the Bien Nacido Chardonnay, Fe Ciega Pinot Noir and Presidio Pinot Noir, but I especially liked this 2009 Bien Nacido Syrah. The Ojai Syrah wines have always impressed me, the Roll Ranch and White Hawk versions being some of my all time favorites, and this Bien Nacido is pure and intriguing with black olives, smoke, mineral and violets that seduce the nose leading to a palate of truffle, game and licorice notes behind forceful blueberry and boysenberry fruit and balancing acidity. This wine has plenty of depth and charm with a full body and lengthy finish with flashes of white pepper and kirsch adding complexity as well. This gem should drink nicely for another 4-6 years, but is fresh and brightly flavored now and extremely enjoyable now.
($45 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive