Piedrasassi Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Syrah 2021

Piedrasassi is the Syrah-focused project of acclaimed Santa Barbara winemaker Sashi Moorman. Offering a fascinating mix between the fruit-forward intensity of California and classical, European-style structure, these Syrahs are true wines of place. The Bien Nacido vineyard is found in the Santa Maria Valley, one of California's oldest AVAs which straddles the border between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. The Syrah vines in this region are amongst the oldest on the Central Coast, producing a singular expression of the variety. Cooled by Pacific winds funneled through the transverse valleys of the coastal mountains, the fruit from this region yields a lighter style of Syrah, defined by its intense aromas of blue and black fruits. Vibrant on the palate with fresh, pure flavours and a beautifully pronounced acidity, this is an exceptional Syrah from one of California's great winemakers. 

93+/100 - The 2021 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard comes from X and Z blocks and includes some fruit from the very old vines planted in the 1970s. It has very pretty scents of wild berries, game meats, saddle leather and wildflowers, continuously opening as it spends time in the glass. The light-bodied palate features understated, mineral-driven fruit, silky tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a long, latent finish. It deserves 3-5 years in bottle to unwind. 487 cases were made. - Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate

93/100 - The 2021 Syrah (Santa Maria) is a blend from the X and Z blocks at Bien Nacido. Bright and effusive, with lovely aromatic presence, the 2021 is positively stellar. Dark red/plum fruit, chalk, white pepper mint and pomegranate all open in this super-expressive Syrah. Clean mineral notes extend the effortless, nuanced finish. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous 

17/20 - Smells of blackberries, blueberries and fresh flowers. Juicy blackberry and blueberry flavours are gripped firmly in a muscular fist of fine-grained tannins. Excellent acidity and wet-chalkboard minerality make this a wine nicely balanced between fruit and stony quality. Hints of herbs linger in the finish. Needs some time.  - Alder Yarrow, JancisRobinson.com

93/100 - A lighter style Syrah reflective of the region's cooling coastal influence over-delivers with a rich bouquet of Intensely aromatic black and blue fruited notes, sweet tobacco leaves and oak tree sap. On the palate, a continuation of sweet tobacco and a hint of flinty minerality open the senses for sun-dried white sage and chilled wild blueberry compote flavours from this cool climate Syrah. Bold, yet rather romantic in nature with soft tannins and lean acidity that carry through to the finish of lingering berry flavour on the tongue. - Vanessa Rason, Decanter