2019 Foxen Winery Syrah Tinaquaic Vineyard Santa Maria Valley 750 ml

Foxen is a defining Santa Barbara producer, and their signature Tinaquaic Vineyard Syrah is a velvety powerhouse from one of the best regions in the world for the grape. Grown on dry-farmed, marine-influenced vines, it’s a cuvée Antonio Galloni called one of the region’s “most compelling and distinctive wines,” and this voluptuous 2019 is among their best renditions yet.

Aromas of candied lilacs, cracked black pepper, blueberry jam, huckleberry, and cranberry emerge from its inky depths, which hold layers of roasted espresso, grilled herbs, and blue fruits. A well-structured wine with seamless savory nuance, Jeb Dunnuck called it a “Côte-Rôtie look-alike” in his 95-point review, saying it has “supple, elegant tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish.”

It’s impossible to overstate Foxen’s importance in Santa Barbara’s wine history. Founded in 1985, their intense, balanced wines helped put the county on the map. They catapulted into superstardom after the movie Sideways, all while making wines that Galloni praised as “some of the most compelling wines I taste anywhere in the world.”

The Tinaquaic Vineyard is Foxen’s original site, planted on land that co-founder Dick Doré's ancestor purchased. The vineyard has been dry-farmed since its inception, and the low-yielding vines possess extraordinarily deep root structures. The site is perfectly situated for the warm, sunny days and cool, Pacific nights that Syrah loves. The day’s heat brings power, while evenings allow for vibrant acidity and long hang-times. Factor in the ranch’s well-drained loam and you’ve got an ideal setting for Syrah to thrive.

After 18 months in 41% new French oak barrels and French and Hungarian Oak puncheons, that gorgeous Syrah has emerged as a spice-inflected, phenomenally refined wine.