Stolpman Vineyards The Great Places Jessica Laurén Stolpman Syrah 2022

Stolpman Vineyards The Great Places Jessica Laurén Stolpman Syrah 2022 This extraordinary, 100% Syrah is a profound exploration of pre-clonal vine material, specifically utilizing a rare Serine strain sourced directly from Domaine Clusel-Roch's legendary "Les Grandes Places" lieu-dit in Côte-Rôtie. Planted in 2016 on a steep, east-facing hillside, this micro-block spans just under a single acre and is densely planted at an astonishing 6,000 vines per acre. The 2022 vintage in the Ballard Canyon AVA of Santa Barbara County was defined by a second consecutive year of drought, which naturally limited yields to just a few tiny clusters per vine. A significant Labor Day heatwave further accelerated ripening and intensified the concentration of the fruit. The region's defining terroir—characterized by a rare limestone outcropping, cooling Pacific winds, and massive 40-degree diurnal temperature shifts—allowed the grapes to maintain bracing acidity despite the late-season heat spikes. In the glass, the wine presents an inky, opaque black-purple core with brilliant ruby-red flashes at the rim, showcasing a high viscosity that forms slow, glacial tears. The nose is an intoxicating, aromatically open masterclass in cool-climate Syrah, bursting with quintessential primary aromas of blackberry and red currant. These are beautifully intertwined with secondary and savory elements of cracked black pepper, roasted game, beef jerky, intense iodine, crushed violets, and fresh peppermint. On the palate, this is a decidedly dry and full-bodied wine that delivers a seductive trifecta of inky concentration, lavish velvety texture, and an intensely savory undertone. Flavors of delicate raspberries, dried blueberries, and dark chocolate are framed by a courageous, firm backbone of chalky fine tannins and racy acidity. The finish is exceptionally long and cascading, echoing with lingering notes of graphite and olive. Stolpman Vineyards is deeply committed to sustainable and natural farming practices, most notably their dedication to dry-farming, which forces the own-rooted vines to dig deep into the clay and limestone soils for moisture. In the cellar, the winemaking philosophy centers on minimal manipulation, utilizing native yeasts and 100% whole-cluster fermentation to lend the wine its signature herbal lift and structural tension. For food pairings, this powerful Syrah is a phenomenal match for a classic American grilled ribeye steak with chimichurri, where the wine's firm tannins effortlessly cut through the rich, charred fat while its herbal and peppery notes echo the vibrant sauce. It also pairs beautifully with a slow-smoked Texas beef brisket with a heavy black pepper rub, harmonizing perfectly with the wine's roasted game and smoked meat aromatics. Alternatively, serve it alongside an herb-crusted rack of lamb, allowing the wine's savory olive and eucalyptus undertones to elevate the earthy sweetness of the meat. This spectacular release has garnered massive critical acclaim, including stellar 97-point scores from Wine Advocate, Vinous, and James Suckling. It represents a premium investment, yet it offers remarkable relative affordability when compared to the elite, blue-chip Côte-Rôtie bottlings it so brilliantly emulates, standing tall as a world-class expression of California Syrah.