2020 Bien Nacido Estate, Syrah, Santa Maria Valley, California, USA

Includes about 1% co-planted, co-fermented Viognier. This wine usually sees 30–60% whole-cluster fermentation but was destemmed in 2020. Mostly pumpovers. Aged in roughly 25% new 600-litre demi-muids and a few barriques for 16 months. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. 350 cases made.

Dark garnet. Smells of sweet blackberry fruit. Bright blackberry and blueberry fruit flavours have a crisp freshness thanks to excellent acidity and a nice floral brightness. Lightly grippy tannins gain strength over time.

Drink 2023 - 2028

The 2020 Syrah Estate Bien Nacido Vineyard is a powerful, dense wine. Firm tannins wrap around a core of inky blue/purplish fruit. Severe late-season heat is felt in the wine's potent, large-scaled tannins. It will be interesting to see where this goes. Lavender, liquorice, cloves and leather add an impression of sombre intensity. I am not sure if the tannins will ever soften here.

Anthony Avila turned out a gorgeous set of wines at both Bien Nacido Estate and Solomon Hills Estate. Avila commented that yields were generous in 2020 because of good set. Skins were light, though, so extractions took some time. The Chardonnays were mostly off before the worst of the heat, while spikes were harder on the later-ripening varieties. In this vintage, the Pinots were fully destemmed.

Drink 2023 - 2033

The 2020 Estate Syrah there’s 1% Viognier) is another cool-climate, balanced, classic, and incredibly classy wine from this label that has tons to love. Blackberries, peppery herbs, liquid violets, and some gamey nuances give way to a medium-bodied Syrah with fine tannins, a vibrant, crunchy, yet pure mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a great finish.

These are brilliant wines across the board from Bien Nacido’s Anthony Avila, who has been at the estate since 2013. The farming here is managed by Chris Hammell, and this all-star team is delivering the goods.

The 2020 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard comes from Block Z, where there are a few Viognier vines interplanted with Syrah, and all the grapes are co-fermented. Deep ruby-purple in colour, the nose offers classic tar and violet with a core of blueberry jam and touches of powdered sugar, salami and cracked pepper. The palate is full-bodied and powerful, with loads of rounded tannins, integrated freshness and a long, perfumed finish streaked with botanical nuances. About 250 cases were made.

Drink 2022 - 2027