A supermarket staple here in the Central Coast–not sure how widely distributed beyond–which sits anonymously on every Vons and Albertson’s shelf for 20 bucks and EVERY SINGLE YEAR is an absolutely bangin wine. And it ages. Some years it is vineyard-designate… some years screwtop… every year a phenomenal wine. Dark crimson with no brick, the nose murky and musty but with extreme floral and heavy tertirary blowing through. Turpentine and aged velvet, the cherry black and invigorating, sweaty armpit and sullen rotting leaf, brightening to distinct maraschino and leather climbing out.

Tasting it tells of a wine with many years to go. Sharp and bright on entry, it quickly goes concentrated while copious tannin begin to do their job. This is such a beautiful wine. Absolute perfection in an aged Syrah where someone didn’t try too hard–as opposed to MOST of the central coast. Chalky and dry in finish, the ridiculous berry still gracing everything. My favorite wine from Hitching Post. Yes, I said that. It’s true. They don’t even market this stuff.

2010 HITCHING POST ‘Big Circle’ Syrah Santa Barbara County 14.7

https://hpwines.com/