Ojai Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County

tasted blind and completely fooled by the young color that showed, almost a tint of purple, this couldn't be more than 10-12 years right? Well, the joy of blind tasting! For a syrah, tannin were very fine and profile does not point to a new world variety, after 2 rounds, gave up!

This drank surprisingly well considering the advanced age and that this is their entry-level (and perhaps less age-worthy) bottling. Well integrated aromas and flavors of leather, white pepper, dried fruit, and anise. The acidity seemed a bit overbearing on opening, but appeared to settle down over time, especially over and after dinner. Small sample size (2), but so far I definitely enjoy aged Ojai syrahs.

This wine is at the low end of Ojai quality, which likely explains why it is much less age-worthy than named syrah vineyards for this winemaker. It had a deep purple color and a somewhat muted bouquet and flavor of plums. Its balance was off because the fruit had faded, and it lacked complexity. It might have been better when younger, although possibly too tannic, leaving no middle ground.

Nose of pure ripe blackberries and black currants. Palate shows a very pure and focused Syrah that has tons of black fruits. There is some red raspberries, pomegranate and Kirsch Royal. Balance is near perfect with tannins nearly fully resolved. Acidity it fresh and bouncy. There is a nie minerality with this one and a real 'roundness' approaching plushiness that really pleases as well as a pretty sarsaparilla quality I like. Taken into account the price paid ($15) I have …

Nice blackberry milkshake color to the rim. Nose of dark fruits with a hint of spice. Plenty of stuffing and ripe tannins; I'd expect this to hold for a few more years. I would have liked a little more acid to balance things off. I popped and poured which may have been a mistake--certainly the mild heat eased up through the meal. Medium finish. Excellent QPR. Disclaimer: my wife thought the acid level was just fine and that I've ruined …

This continues to drink well and for the $20 I paid is one of my favorite QPR wines. The color is a dark purple with some fading at the rim. The nose shows nice blackberry fruit, smoke, a touch of roasted meat and a floral note. The palate is all about good acidity with bright blackberry/raspberry fruit with a touch of cherry and some chocolate notes. The finish is medium length and balanced. This has fallen off a notch since …

Fantastic QPR and for the money the best syrah I have had besides the '01 ESJ CA Syrah. This wine has tons of rich blackberry, a little smoke, anise, and white pepper on the nose and a mid-palate full of lush blackberry with nice supporting acidity and some slight chalky tanins. The finish is long with anise, blackberry, minerals and white pepper. Glad I still have 3 left and should continue drinking well for at least another 2-3 years.

Opaque purple with a clear rim; gorgeous nose of raspberries, spice and a hint of smoke; palate of plums, coffee and more red berries; smooth tannins with a healthy dose of acidity; well balanced with a long juicy finish; simply a great wine for the price; drinking well now but with a few good years ahead

Drinking beautifully. Floral nose, touch of meat and smoke. Wonderful rich pure blackberry, anise, cinnamon, clove, and a touch of acidity on the palate. Nice medium length finish. Hard to beat for $20.

White pepper nose with dry wood. Expansive palate with black cherry and dry herb flavors.