Dragonette 2018 Syrah “Seven” Santa Barbara

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points: “Moving to the Syrahs and tasted as a final blend, the 2018 Syrah Seven offers a medium-bodied, pretty, almost Saint Joseph-like style as well as beautiful notes of dark berry fruits, ground herbs, pepper, and violets. If you love classic Syrah, give this a whirl, you won’t be disappointed.”

The Dragonette Seven is mostly Syrah but includes 4% Grenache and 1% Viognier. Seeing just 5% whole clusters and 10% new oak, its ruby/plum hue is followed by a more perfumed bouquet of black raspberries, spring flowers, bacon fat, smoked game, and bay leaf. If the John Sebastiano Syrah is more Hermitage, this is more Côte Rôtie. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully textured, it has silky tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish.