The Syrah grapes came from a very steep hillside block of Clone 1 planted in shallow calcareous soils.  Located in the Ballard Canyon of Santa Barbara County with a cool marine influence and long, cool growing season these grapes possessed excellent purity and depth while the vineyard produced a meager 2.3 tons per acre crop with excellent concentration. 

9 4   P o i n t s

"Based on 56% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Petite Sirah, and the rest Zinfandel, the 2018 The Ambush Fox Family Vineyard reveals a medium ruby/purple color to go with notes of kirsch, peppery herbs, bouquet garni, and herbes de Provence. This layered, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured beauty o!ers rocking levels of fruit and texture, no hard edges, and a great finish. Drink this pleasure-bent, gorgeous Rhône-like blend over the coming 7-8 years."  ∼ Jeb Dunnuck

¤

9 4  P o i n t s 

“Opulent, heady Grenache-based blend packs a serious punch. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and spice all race out of the glass. This is a terrific example of Blair Fox's style. There is plenty of sumptuous fruit, and a good deal of structure, too.”  - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

9 3   P o i n t s 

"Classic Syrah blue fruits, violets, cracked pepper, and spice notes all emerge from the 2018 Syrah Fox Family Vineyard, a full-bodied, round, sweetly fruited and sexy red that pushes on the ripeness pedal while still holding on to that classic 2018 liveliness and freshness."  ∼  Jeb Dunnuck

9 5   P o i n t s

"The 2018 Syrah Larner Vineyard is another Ballard Canyon release, this one coming from a site in the middle to lower part of the valley. It has a classic nose of ripe blackberries, saddle leather, ground pepper, iron, and violets. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, pure, seamless Syrah that has no hard edges and delivers thrilling tannins as well as a great, great finish. It's one of the standouts in this stacked lineup. Count me impressed." - Jeb Dunnuck

9 5   P o i n t s 

"Inky, rich and explosive , the Kimsey is endowed with tons of intensity. Blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, licorice and lavender all build in the glass. This huge, potent Syrah packs a serious punch. " ~ Vinous

¤

9 3   P o i n t s

 "Dense purple, with a vibrant nose of black and blue fruits as well as cracked pepper, violets, and bay leaf, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered texture, good acidity, and outstanding length. This is a classic wine from this estate that brings serious richness and depth while staying nicely balanced and lively. It's certainly not for those looking for lightweight aromas and flavors, though" ~ Jeb Dunnuck

9 2   P o i n t s

"More ground pepper, leather, cured meats, and savory herbs notes define the 2018 Syrah The Dare, a 100% Syrah sourced from the finest barrels of Kimsey, Fox Family, Larner, Zotovich, Thompson, and Tierra Alta Vineyards. Medium-bodied, nicely textured, and concentrated, it has a complex, savory, layered, Hermitage-like style that's going to shine for a good 7-8 years."  ∼  Jeb Dunnuck

"This site has produced a perfumed, savory, complex red ...Violets, incense, herbs de Provence, and loads of pepper all flow to a medium to full-bodied, seamless wine that shines both for its complexity as well as richness and length.  This is a brilliant, elegant, classic high-quality California Syrah" - Jeb Dennuck of the 2016 vintage