California Syrah: top Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo wines
San Luis Obispo is a key county in California's Central Coast and Paso Robles is its heart, where lovers of ripe yet elegant Rhône-style Syrahs will find much to enjoy. Matthew Luczy selects top wines to try from here, as well as Arroyo Grande and Edna Valleys.
Individual AVA analysis and top California Syrah from:
Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Napa County & Sierra Foothills, Santa Barbara County, Monterey County
San Luis Obispo County on California’s Central Coast is home to Paso Robles. The mission statement of this key AVA was to become a literal and figurative midpoint between Santa Barbara County and Napa Valley.
Many of the soil types in Paso Robles are rare in California, especially those from ancient seabeds containing pure limestone. The Pacific Ocean moderates the often-intense daytime temperatures here, giving large diurnal swings that benefit aromatics in the wines.
Scroll down for the top-scoring Paso Robles & San Luis Obispo Syrahs
Importer Robert Haas founded Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso’s Adelaida District in 1990. Its location was selected in part due to its limestone bedrock, similar to that of its ‘sister winery’, Château de Beaucastel in the Rhône’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.
While Tablas Creek focuses on the full range of red and white Rhône grapes, its single-varietal Syrah is a solid example of the elegance that can be achieved in Paso Robles.
Fans of concentrated Rhône blends that feature Syrah should look no further than Saxum. This winery sources fruit from multiple vineyards across Paso Robles, but the James Berry and Booker sites in Willow Creek District are of particular note.
These wines are decidedly ripe and forward but impressively balanced, with a solid core of acidity. This tightrope is a difficult one to walk, but winemaker Justin Smith has built a consistent reputation here.
In the southern part of San Luis Obispo County is the Edna Valley AVA, whose wines range from energetic and understated to ripe powerhouses similar to those of Paso Robles.
Alban Vineyards has made a name for itself here with the latter style. Santa Barbara producers also source grapes from Edna Valley – notably Qupé from the Sawyer Lindquist vineyard and Storm Wines from Slide Hill.
Matthew Luczy’s top Paso Robles & San Luis Obispo Syrahs
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Storm, Slide Hill Vineyard Syrah, Central Coast, Edna Valley, California, USA, 2017
Slide Hill is planted on gravelly loam soils 11km from the ocean. An expressive nose of cedar, dried sage, white pepper and cocoa powder, while...
2017
StormCentral Coast
Alban, Patrina Syrah, Central Coast, Edna Valley, California, USA, 2016
Completely opaque and extremely ripe on the nose, with aromas of baked blue fruits, red liquorice, sweet tobacco and a hint of pine needles. The...
2016
AlbanCentral Coast
Epoch Estate, Block B Syrah, Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, California, USA, 2017
Plum sauce, cranberry preserves and garrigue-like characters – the fleshy, ripe fruits bound by a tight and defined tannin structure. Rich and forward as is...
2017
Epoch EstatePaso Robles
Saxum Vineyards, Booker Vineyard Red, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, California, USA, 2018
Aromas of white pepper and allspice sit atop ripe blue fruits, while the palate is dominated by ripe black berries, leather and tobacco. Those that...
2018
Saxum VineyardsPaso Robles
Saxum Vineyards, Bone Rock Red, James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, California, USA, 2017
A Syrah-dominated blend with Graciano, Mataro, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Roussanne. A voluptuous nose of blueberry jam, fruitcake, strawberry preserves and tobacco leads to an...
2017
Saxum VineyardsPaso Robles
Qupé, Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard Syrah, Central Coast, Edna Valley, California, USA, 2014
Crushed rocks, damp earth and raspberries on the nose. Darker on the palate than the nose would suggest, with black plum, liquorice and charred meat...
2014
QupéCentral Coast
Tablas Creek, Syrah, Paso Robles, Adelaida District, California, USA, 2017
Aromas are reticent at first, then revealing cherry blossom, coriander and sage notes with time. Medium-weight on the palate, continuing its beaming, red-fruited quality throughout,...
2017
Tablas CreekPaso Robles
Stolo, Syrah, San Luis Obispo County, Arroyo Grande Valley, California, USA, 2018
Delicate, lacy perfume of blossoms, black pepper and cardamom lead to a refined and textured palate of pure red and black fruits. The finish falls...
2018
StoloSan Luis Obispo County
