Zaca Mesa Clydesdale Santa Barbara Santa Ynez Syrah 2016

 Zaca Mesa Clydesdale Santa Barbara County Santa Ynez Valley Syrah 2016

For midweek sipping with artisan cheeses and fresh fruits and nuts we opened this Santa Barbara County Syrah from the Santa Ynez Valley. We discovered, tasted and acquired this wine during our Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards Visit as part of our Santa Barbara County Santa Ynez, Santa Maria Valley Wine Experience last month. We joined their wine club and received this bottle as part of our first inaugural allocation shipment.

Zaca Mesa is a family and close knit group owned and operated winery with a storied history in Santa Barbara County. This label, Clydesdale Zaca Mesa Vineyards Syrah, pays homage to co-founder John Cushman's family’s historical middle name, Clydesdale.

I wrote in my detailed account of Zaca Mesa and our estate vineyard and winery visit about Cushman and a group of friends purchasing the land that would become Zaca Mesa in 1972. At that time, it was only the third winery to exist in Santa Barbara County. Through much experimentation to determine the best grape varietal (s) to match with the terroir - terrain, climate, soil, elevation, exposure - all that attributes of a site, they planted their first block of Syrah in 1978 (known as the Black Bear Block). 

Syrah emerged as the 'flagship' varietal of Zaca Mesa with over half of the vineyards eventually planted to the varietal, along with the other Rhone varietals that became predominant in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Zaca Mesa Syrah reflects the vineyard sites, producing fruit with medium acidity since Zaca Mesa is situated at the high elevations of the mesas in the valley at altitudes about 1,500 feet above sea level. That, along with the cool Pacific Ocean breezes that follow the transverse aligned mountain ranges and valleys that are perpendicular to the ocean shore, allows the grapes to mature and retain their all important acidity.

Producer notes about this label: The 2016 Clydesdale is a superb expression of Syrah from our estate vineyard. The core of black fruits are intertwined with notes of violet, tobacco, and leather. The voluminous texture cascades along your palate, carrying flavors of red plum, blackberry, and hints of toasted spice. This wine is impressive with depth and character, perfectly suited to age in your wine cellar for many years to come, or enjoy upon release.

Winemaker Bryden says, "I like a balance between strength and elegance," she said. "A core of black and red fruits mixed in with some earth and spice and structure as well. Part of the beauty of syrah is the structure of the wine. If you can get all that into one glass, you're doing a good job."

For this particular wine, harvest took place at the end of August and beginning of September 2016.

"It was a great vintage," Bryden said. "This wine is made of multiple blocks. With syrah, we have nine different clones of syrah on the property—different vine age, different root stalks—so they tend to ripen at different stages. That's where the range comes from."

This Syrah is sourced from five different blocks (along with a few sub blocks) from a south facing hillside of the vineyard. 

"I think the tannin profile is a little softer," she said. "We aged it a month longer than some of our reserves, and there is just a nice viscosity to the wine."

This was dark blackish garnet colored, more medium than full bodied, somewhat subdued core of black berry and plum fruits are accented by notes of cassis, tobacco, black tea, hints of soy and caramel on a moderate smooth finish. 

RM 91 points. 

 

Wine Enthusiast awarded this 94 points while Antonio Galloni of Parkers Wine Advocate gave it 93 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3249008

 

https://www.zacamesa.com/

Zaca Mesa Winery Twitter - @ZacaMesa_Wine

Beckmen Ballard Canyon Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah

Beckmen Vineyards Estate Visit - Ballard Canyon Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah

During our visit to Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valleys, we stopped in at Beckmen Vineyards. It is one of the wineries that has distribution in the Midwest (Illinois) so we can buy their wines here. Hence, we knew of Beckmen and had had their wines. But, of course, only a few labels from their broad portfolio are distributed here, so it was a chance to discover their wines. Regretably, we didn't allow or take time to do a tasting. We'll definitely make it a priority for a future visit to the region. 

Beckmen produce nearly a dozen white wines, and more than a dozen reds, primarily Rhône varietals on their vast estate vineyards. Once again, we were taken aback to discover Rhône varietals in this region, belaying our preconceptions that it is primarily Burgundian varietals (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), as we discovered with our visits to the Tensley and Zaca Mesa vineyard estates and tasting rooms.

Beckmen is a family owned and operated business founded in 1994 by Tom and Judy Beckmen, their youngest son Steve and more recently by their oldest son Jeff. Beckmen have established themselves as a leading grower and producer in Santa Barbara County, their wines crafted almost exclusively from their two vineyards sites of 150 planted acres combined, the Thomas and Judith Beckmen Estate Vineyard in Los Olivos District AVA and Purisima Mountain Vineyard in the Ballard Canyon AVA. 

The Beck­men Vine­yards are sited in two locations with dra­mat­i­cal­ly dif­fer­ent soils and climates. See their vineyard map (s) at https://beckmenvineyards.com/blog/updated-vineyard-maps.

The 40 acre (25 plant­ed) Beckmen estate vineyard surround the winery and hospitality facilities just outside and south of the town of Los Olivos, on the west­ern bor­der of the Los Olivos Dis­trict. The Beck­men Estate is most­ly plant­ed to Caber­net Sauvi­gnon with small amounts of Grenache, Mourve­dre, and Syrah.

Several miles to the west is Purisi­ma Moun­tain on the west­ern side of Bal­lard Canyon AVA lies their 365 acre (125 acres plant­ed), Purisi­ma Moun­tain Vine­yard. Com­prised most­ly of clay and clay loam, with vary­ing amounts of grav­el, the most unique aspect of this site is the lime­stone sub­soil. The lime­stone soil lim­its vine vig­or and pro­duces small­er vines with low­er yields and more intense­ly fla­vored fruit. 

With peaks reach­ing 1,150 feet, Purisi­ma Moun­tain has almost 500 feet of ele­va­tion change with mul­ti­ple expo­sures. With a cli­mate and rare lime­stone sub­soils sim­i­lar to those found in Côte Rôtie and Châteauneuf du Pape, the vine­yard has proven per­fect for pro­duc­ing a range of Rhône vari­etals, espe­cial­ly Syrah and Grenache, Mourve­dre, and Counoise. 

PMV is also the home of Beck­men’s white wine port­fo­lio, con­sist­ing of Rosé, Sauvi­gnon Blanc, Chardon­nay, Viog­nier, and Grenache Blanc.  

Tend­ing vines from dor­man­cy through har­vest since 1994, the Beck­men's have learned about their two dis­tinct vine­yard prop­er­ties - acre by acre, the unique soil and micro­cli­mate, the elements of terroir, that best hosts each grape vari­etal, fine-tuning their plantings and viticulture to ensur­e every block in the vine­yard con­sis­tent­ly pro­duces the high­est qual­i­ty fruit possible.

The Beckmen estate is tucked back off the road from the side road south of town. 

Past the winery and production facility (below) is a hospitality center (above) with a tasting bar, outdoor decks, patios and lawns overlooking ponds. 

They offer numerous tasting flights and WBTG including some of their limited, allocated, some club-only, and Library wines.

Across the drive is the stately residence, what in France they would refer to as the Chateau, with outdoor gardens and groomed grounds overlooking and surrounded by the vineyards, with views of the hills in distance. 

As soon as we returned home I sought out Beckmen labels at our local wine merchants and found at Binny's, our big-box wine and beverage superstore this Beckmen Syrah.

Beckmen Vineyards Ballard Canyon Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah 2019

I must say, this label exceeded my expectations and provided great QPR - Quality Price Ratio - better than my earlier forays into this brand. I've gained a new appreciation for Rhône vari­etals from Santa Maria Valley and the range of high quality production from there. 

Winemaker notes: "The cool 2019 growing season produced a very savory vintage of PMV (Purisima Mountain Vineyard) Syrah. Cured meats, game, roasted earth, pepper, blackberry, and coco highlight the aromas of the 2019. Elegant and rounded on the palate (reminiscent of the very successful 2015 vintage), the mouth shows off sweet black fruits, dark chocolate, game, mocha, and pepper with fine tannins that carry the flavor through the very long, savory finish. A bit young and tight upon release, the 2019 should be decanted or aged for the short term and will age beautifully for the next 15-18 years or longer. Crafted from 100% certified biodynamic syrah grapes."

Antonio Galloni of Vinous gave this wine 94 points in Oct 2021. "The 2019 Syrah Purisima Mountain Vineyard is a wild, exotic wine. Blueberry jam, chocolate, spice, leather and licorice fill out the layers effortlessly. This unctuous, heady Syrah shows just how distinctive Ballard Canyon is. A year or two in bottle should help soften some of the harder edges."

Interesting that he notes the "harder edges", which is what I encountered and found off-putting on earlier tastings from this producer, but they were moderated and not impacting this release. This was dark inky garnet purple colored, full bodied, unctuous brambly blackberry and blueberry fruits with a nuance of sweet clove spice and vanilla punctuated by notes of licorice, black pepper and hints of dark chocolate and leather, with lingering moderate tannins on the finish. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3948161

https://beckmenvineyards.com/

https://twitter.com/BeckmenVineyard

@BeckmenVineyard 

Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards Visit

Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards Estate Visit 

Our travel through the Santa Maria Valley Foxen Canyon wine trail lead us to Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards. What a pleasant surprise and delightful encounter. At the winery, they have an extensive hospitality center with tasting room patio and deck, one overlooking the vineyards and mountain ranges in the distance.

The Zaca Mesa vineyards sit at the highest elevation on the Foxen Canyon Road wine trail. The native Chumash revered this site, naming it “Zaca,” meaning “restful place,”  sitting in the valley framed by the majestic San Rafael Mountains.  

While vines were planted in the area in the earliest days as early as the 1800's only to be wiped out by prohibition, there were but a few vineyards planted by 1970. The early- to mid-1970s saw a planting boom in the county, including Zaca Mesa.

Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1973 by John Cushman and five friends, who purchased the property the year prior. It was the third winery established in Santa Barbara County and in those early days there was much experimentation in determining the most appropriate grape varietals optimal for the property with the first vines planted in 1973. Several different varieties were planted to see which grapes would be the best suited to the estate’s unique terroir. 

Interestingly, in 1971 the most widely-planted red grape variety in Santa Maria Valley – by a wide margin – was Cabernet Sauvignon, while Riesling was followed closely by Chardonnay among white varieties. As elsewhere in California, it took time for appropriate varieties to be planted in the right areas, and most of those early Cabernet plantings were at sites too cool to ripen properly. Those that remain today are inland and in sites more protected from the cooling ocean breezes.

The Santa Maria Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) was the second AVA to be established in California, behind Napa Valley, the historic Santa Maria Valley AVA became official in 1981. It is recognized for its cool, coastal influence and sandy soils filled with ancient marine deposits. The unprotected valley with its transverse mountain range is cooled by the marine weather that comes ashore from the Pacific Ocean. The effect of the cool ocean air is one of the longest growing seasons in California resulting in an extra hang time and wines with complex flavor & balance.

After many trials, Zaca Mesa’s first winemaker, Ken Brown, planted Syrah in 1978, establishing Zaca Mesa as the first producer/grower to plant Syrah in Santa Barbara County. This block of Syrah remains the oldest Syrah block on the Central Coast and is now known as the Black Bear Block, name for a large black bear that once frequented the site.

Zaca Mesa produced the first Central Coast wine to achieve a Wine Spectator Top Ten at #6, the 1993 Zaca Mesa Syrah, created by Winemaker Daniel Gehrs. It became the wine of choice at the White House in February, 1996 for an official state dinner hosting then French President Jacques Chirac.

 
Today, Zaca Mesa Vineyards produce a broad portfolio of more than two dozen Rhône varietal and style wines with distinctive personalities that reflect the unique terror of the site. They have consistently received high marks for their wines with many 90+ rated wines and vintage labels.

Recently Zaca Mesa have also released a new brand, TREAD, featuring ultra-premium, site-driven wines dedicated to showcasing the diversity of Santa Barbara County focusing on the traditional Burgundian varietals Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 

We tasted a flight of their estate, Reserve and Library wines. Our tasting flight:

• Zaca Mesa Z Cuvée 2016
• Clydesdale Syrah 2016
  
• Eight Barrel Syrah 2017
• Estrella Santa Ynez Valley Syrah 2017
• Black Bear Block Santa Ynez Valley Syrah 2014 and 2017
• Santa Barbara County Petit Sirah 2018
• Tread Sierra Madre Chardonnay 2019 
• Tread Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2019 
  

We were sufficiently impressed with Zaca Mesa wines, notably their line of Syrah's, that we joined their wine club to ensure receiving allocation releases we tasted today and going forward. 

Zaca Mesa Z Cuvée 2016

When I inquired about their wines, they cited this as perhaps their best known label. 

 

This is a classic Rhône varietal blend, what is often called a GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre), this is a blend of 56% Mourvèdre, 36% Grenache 5%, Cinsault, and 3% Syrah.

Winemaker Notes: "We have been producing this classic Rhône-style blend since 1992. Inspired by the food-friendly and exquisitely layered wines of the Southern Rhône Valley, the Z Cuvée exemplifies the delicate unity between the savory elegance and fruit-driven nature of these blends.'

"Our 2016 Z Cuvée is a beautiful reflection of the harmony created when blending our favorite red Rhône varietals: Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. Each varietal is perfectly interwoven, revealing a dynamic bouquet of red and black fruits, potpourri, and dried herbs. The soft and seductive tannins are energized by flavors of tart spiced plum and cocoa dusted black cherries."

Inky, dark, red-purple. full body, rich, dense black and dark red fruits accented by pepper, earthy notes of asphalt, leather and graphite with grippy tannins on a lively finish.

RM and Wine Spectator 90 points 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3145139

 

Black Bear Block Santa Ynez Valley Syrah 2017

 

This might be considered their flagship best Syrah. Their 2009 release was awarded 96 points by Wine Enthusiast and *Top 100 Wines of 2013*.

 

Winemaker Notes: "The Black Bear Block is a 3 ½ acre block planted on its own roots in 1978. Named for the black bears that live around our vineyard, the Black Bear Block was the first Syrah vineyard planted in Santa Barbara County and is now the oldest remaining Syrah vineyard on the Central Coast.'  

"Aromas of cured meats, ripe black cherry and potpourri spice leap out of the glass, leading way to red fruit driven flavors. Persistent notes of black raspberry and tart plum are complimented by sweet baking spices introduced by aging in new French oak. Our 2017 Black Bear Block Syrah is approachable in its youth with signature fine-grained tannins, balanced by a graceful finish on the palate." 

This was rated 94 points by Antonio Galloni and 93 points by Jeb Dunnuck.

Dark inky garnet colored, full bodied, complex concentrated blackberry fruits with notes of cassis, plum, dark mocha, bacon, smoky oak, white pepper, and licorice with refined tannins on a lingering finish. 

 

RM 93 points.

 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3755811

 

Zaca Mesa Clydesdale Syrah 2016 

Winemaker Notes: "As a family-owned winery with a rich history in Santa Barbara County, as well as historical roots that date back to America’s early days, family and history have remained integral parts of Zaca Mesa’s story. Honoring our past inspired us to create Clydesdale, a 100% Syrah paying homage to the Cushman family’s historical middle name, Clydesdale, which traces back generations.'

"The 2016 Clydesdale is a superb expression of Syrah from our estate vineyard. The core of black fruits are intertwined with notes of violet, tobacco, and leather. The voluminous texture cascades along your palate, carrying flavors of red plum, blackberry, and hints of toasted spice. This wine is impressive with depth and character, perfectly suited to age in your wine cellar for many years to come, or enjoy upon release."

This was rated 94 PTS by Antonio Galloni and 93 PTS Jeb Dunnuck. 

Dark garnet purple, medium full bodied, black berry and black plum fruits with tobacco, black tea, notes of vanilla and wet earth on a lingering moderate tannin finish.

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3249008

 

 

Estrella Santa Ynez Valley Syrah 2017

 

Winemaker Notes: "The Estrella clone represents the most significant Syrah clone found on California’s central coast. First planted on our estate in 1978, as the Black Bear Block, Estrella has become known as the signature Syrah clone of our vineyard. To honor the several generations of Estrella plantings on our estate ranging from 1978 to 2012, our winemaking team created this very special single clone Syrah. Perhaps the most versatile clone of Syrah on our estate, Estrella is the cornerstone of many of our Syrah bottlings.'

 

"This vintage of Estrella Syrah is another dedication to the charisma that it can bring to a wine. The aromatics blossom as the wine is allowed to breath, driven by a tone of graphite that overarches notes of anise and menthol. It delivers a charming rusticity in the front palate, with the acidity coaxing the wine into a brambly finish highlighted by granular tannins. Granted time in the glass, the plush texture can be admired, while in the coming years this wine is promised to develop further nuances and character."

 

Dark inky purple colored, full round blackberry fruits with notes of anise, tobacco and black tea with smooth polished fine grained tannins on the finish. 

 

RM 91 points.  

 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3571504

 

Eight Barrel Syrah 2017

 

Winemaker Notes: "The aromatics of the 2017 Eight Barrel Syrah are lifted by tones of juicy plum and caramelized cinnamon, followed by an underlying element of seasoned firewood. The burly personality of this wine is evident upon the first sip, broadly covering the palate and offering an abundance of both red and blue fruits. The texture evolves as opulent tannins settle into a persistent finish of cured meats and dried cranberry."

 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3605844 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tread Santa Maria Valley, Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay 2019

Winemaker Notes: "Initially, the bouquet is opulent with pear, pineapple skin, and citrus blossom. With a little time and warmer temperature, the wine unfolds and introduces notes of flint and sea salt crackers. A generous, creamy texture delivers refreshing acidity across a round middle palate, carrying flavors of juicy nectarine and toasted brioche. The finish is persistent with lingering acidity, priming your palate for another sip."

This was awarded 94 points by Wine Enthusiast, Editors’ Choice, 91 points by Wine & Spirits, and 90 points by Wine Spectator.

Fellow Cellartracker MattMauldin gave this wine 92 points. "Clear, bright pale-gold color. Lively aromas of lemon zest, verbena, creme fraiche, jasmine, oyster shell, and hints of hazelnut. Expressive and richer on the palate, with citrus flesh and quince notes, over a round secondary core of jasmine, crushed stone and allspice. Bright, integrated acidity, with rounded density. Finishes with very nice length of stone fruit and spice."

 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3912059

Tread Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2019

Winemaker Notes: "The 2019 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is remarkably complex with powerful layers of Braeburn apple, pear, lemon cream, and guava. The fruit characteristics are balanced by notes of flint in this intricate bouquet. The creamy texture carries juicy flavors of pineapple and ripe nectarine in a silky finish that is kept taut by refreshing acidity and nimble citrus flavors."

This was awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast, Editors’ Choice, and 91 points by Wine & Spirits.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4300568

https://www.zacamesa.com/

Zaca Mesa Winery Twitter - @ZacaMesa_Wine

 

https://www.treadwines.com/

Also ...

Stolpman Santa Ynez Valley Hilltops Syrah 2011

Stolpman Santa Ynez Valley Hilltops Estate Syrah 2011

A couple years ago we were planning a trip to the Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Santa Ynez Valleys' wine districts along the South Central California coast. In preparation for the trip we embarked on exploration of wines from the region and acquired several labels from the various appellations to taste so as to establish a baseline of knowledge and understanding of the varietals, styles and terroir effects of the different areas.

Back at that time, niece Jenna was attending UC Santa Barbara and we were hoping for a dual purpose visit and wine trip. In any event, for various reasons our plans were disrupted and we canceled/postponed our trip. This label is one from that collection. We still hope to visit the area at some point to explore another wine region and it's wines. Stay tuned for such a trip report.

This weekend would've been an ideal time to visit as the Big Ten sends three out of the four teams to the NCAA Final Four College Cup soccer tournament in Santa Barbara. Our Indiana Hoosiers are favored to win their ninth National Championship after they defeated Notre Dame Friday night to advance to their twentieth College Cup. They will play University of Maryland. Tonight, Michigan State advanced to the semi-final to represent a command performance by the Big Ten.

We opened this for casual but serious sipping with some artisan cheeses while watching weekend sports, including the NCAA Soccer Tournament.

This was ideal with ten year old Aged Sharp Cheddar as well as creamy Havarti, with fresh berries and pear fruits. Neutral soda crackers were more suited to reveal the native flavors of the wine, cheese and fruits, as opposed to butter crackers or others with overt tastes.

Tonight's tasting was consistent with our earlier tasting of this label back in 2015.

Dark red-ruby, full bodied, aromas of floral and mocha, complex, concentrated big, forward black and blue fruits, tones of anise/licorice, hints of mocha chocolate and herbs, turning to a very long soft savory fruit filled finish.

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1652929

http://www.stolpmanvineyards.com