January 2007 Wine Tasting Notes:
2005 William James Cellars Syrah, Hampton Family Vineyards, Santa Ynez Valley.
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This Syrah is dark, inky, smoky garnet colored with a purple edge. The nose starts with pepper and toast and opens up quickly to currant, cherry and anise with notes of lavender and vanilla. The cherry continues on the palate and mingles with a hint of blueberry, savory herbs and a light mineral note. Firm tannins integrate well with acids and alcohol for a bigger body and a solid but not heavy core. Cherry rings on through the finish, backed by pepper and savory herb notes. |
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RWB Score: 93 breakdown 14.5% Alcohol $32.00 Retail (from winery); 500 cases produced |
This 2005 vineyard designated Syrah is robust but elegant with a sensational nose and a somewhat more reserved plate. Its broad and big nose, body and supple mouthfeel make it a great stand alone wine. At the same time, it is not a goby fruit bomb. This is the kind of wine you can drink by itself and revel in while sitting by the fire - if you don't want food to muddle its sensual qualities. It should also pair well with minimally seasoned grilled meats. Expected to reach optimal maturity in about 3 years. |
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More William James Cellars reviews. More on Santa Barbara County More on Santa Ynez Valley |
100% Syrah, Hampton family Vineyard. Aged 10 months in mixed cooperage: 50% new French Oak, and remaining 50% of the barrels were neutral barrels of mixed origin.
Syrah is an ancient varietal proven by DNA analysis (in part at UC Davis) to be a native of the northern Rhône region of France. Prior to this evidence, its origin was disputed between the Rhône region and that around the Persian city of Shiraz – hence the two names for the grape. Syrah gives tannic and spicy red wines with significant longevity. Because of its weight, it contributes body and structure to blends with the softer, fruitier Grenache and Mourvèdre. In the southern Rhône, these varieties make up the core of Châteauneuf du Pape reds. Syrah not only needs hot climates but thrives in them - as its rapid propagation in California and Australia demonstrates. It is also widely grown in the southern portion of Oregon, Washington and South Africa. It was first planted in California in 1971 from cuttings from the Hermitage appellation in northern Rhône and Australian Shiraz cuttings (which are said by some to be of Hermitage origin themselves). Current reports indicate total California Syrah acreage to be approaching 13,000 acres. The thick-skinned, very darkly pigmented grapes give inky, deep colored wines described as violet or nearly black. Syrah is very tannic, rich, chewy and textured and is typified by high alcohol and a spice-over-fruit character. The latter tends to be more accentuated in cooler climates where the grapes develop a higher skin-to-pulp ratio. This can be nicely demonstrated by tasting Syrahs from growers spanning the north-south gamut of the Central Coast regions. Although expressivity may vary slightly between different clones, Syrah typically shows black (sometimes white) pepper, licorice, clove, thyme and bay leaf as part of its spice component. The dark fruit typically expressed are blueberries, black currants and blackberries. Syrah may also show cedar or sandalwood notes. As with just about all wines, bottle age brings out terroir and cedar, tobacco, earth and leathery notes.
Planted in 2000 to only Syrah grapes, the 17 acre Hampton Family Vineyard is located in the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley. Dale Hampton, one of the area’s most prominent vineyard developers and managers, is the owner and driving force behind this vineyard. Southern exposure is mitigated with north-south running rows on gentle lopes of well-draining soils, unique “T” trellising which decreases direct sunshine and attendant dehydration, affording the grapes longer hang times and development of more complex flavors. This is all crucial in the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley as temperatures here are higher than in the most western portions which are closer to the Pacific Ocean but not as warm as in Happy Canyon which lies to the southeast. This vineyard, off Roblar Avenue –just to the southeast of the town of Los Olivos, is on the eastern side of Highway 154.
The 2005 year saw an increase in crops over the preceding years. The year is being compared to the acclaimed 1997 vintage because of a very long and generally cool growing season without heat spikes. This long season resulted in extended hang times in even temperatures which gave the fruit good extraction but lower sugar levels. The slow ripening of the fruit is expected to make for elegance and balance in the wines of this vintage.
In 2003, winemaker Jim Porter entered the commercial wine making scene in Santa Barbara County. Jim started making home wine with “with kitchen utensils, strainers and trash cans”. Spurred by his successes in home wine competitions, and aided by his connections with various vineyards made through his agricultural irrigation business over the past eight years, Jim was able to put together a winery operation at Fess Parker’s Wine Center in Santa Maria as an alternating proprietor. William James Cellars currently offers Chardonnay, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Roussanne, and Syrah Sourced from all over the Central Coast. With an annual production of 4,000 cases, Jim is moving to an independent wine making facility to be be announced. Their tasting room is located at 113 S. College Avenue in Santa Maria at the corner of Main St. and College Ave.
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5 points |
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Nose |
5 points |
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Palate |
3 points |
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Finish |
3 points |
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Tannins |
5 points |
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Acidity |
5 points |
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Alcohol |
5 points |
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Aging potential |
3 points |
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Overall quality |
9 points |
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