Ojai Vineyard John Sebastiano Vineyard - Syrah 2018
- jd96
- v93+
Category | Red Wine |
Varietal | |
Brand | Ojai Vineyard |
Origin | California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills |
Alcohol/vol | 13% |
Adam Tolmach of Ojai Vineyard is one of the pioneers of the Santa Barbara County wine scene. He founded Au Bon Climat with Jim Clendenen, then moved on to start Ojai in 1983. To this day, he has never grown past the 6000 cases he makes each year in three makeshift, temperature-controlled barns in the backwoods of Ojai. By choosing to work strictly with cool climate vineyards and paying growers by the acre, Adam ensures himself control of the farming and the yields. He makes elegant, aristocratic wines and has been at the forefront of the growing movement of American winemakers to make more balanced wines, prizing finesse over power. Ojai Vineyard is one of California's best kept secrets, though one Corkscrew customers have known for many years!
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd96
Another wine that got a big "Wow" in the notes was the 2018 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard. This medium-bodied, Côte Rôtie look-alike offers a brilliant bouquet of ripe red and black berry fruits, white pepper, flowers, iron, and bouquet garni. Fresh and incredibly complex, with silky tannins and no hard edges, this is a California Syrah for the Jamet lovers out there!
Vinous
- v93+
The 2018 Syrah John Sebastiano is a deep, powerful wine that is going to need a few years in bottle to soften, as it is pretty tightly wound at the moment. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and menthol add a touch of whole cluster savoriness and give the 2018 an exotic quality that is impossible to miss. This is an especially fine rendition. There is so much character here.