Clear black ruby with thin pink edges. Match-head and hibiscus run a sweaty bramble and chocolate-liqueur program straight through the full round nose with a beautiful patina consistent with age. Wet dog in a cold stream grant a natural directness to this wine–European, even–preventing the obvious extraction from overwriting all. Effusive fruit attacks the tongue, cleansing it in bright hot sunlight and musky spice while enveloping everything in dense sweet blackberry and rhubarb as the dry ache of powerful tannin begin their dance. Direct figgy-pudding and smoky cut grass balance themselves against spritely petrichor keeping this thing precisely NOT bogged down. This entry-level and great value wine from the esteemed Ballard Canyon Syrah producer is a stunner.
2010 LARNER Syrah Ballard Canyon Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara Co 15.2
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