Melville 2013 Verna’s Syrah (Santa Barbara County)

Country: US / Verna’s
Variety: Syrah California
Winery: Melville / Santa Barbara County

This is likely the last vintage from this vineyard, which the family winery seemingly mastered in this bottling. There’s an underlying umami-driven smoked meat backbone to the nose that also shows bold cherry blossom, olallieberry, pepper, dried herbs and blackberry-soy sauce. The palate is complex yet doesn’t overpower, with bits of purple flowers, blueberry, black pepper and menthol.