95 Jeb Dunnuck - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"More approachable than the 2013, the 2014 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard comes from a cool site located just to the east of the town of Santa Maria. It’s within sight of the Pacific Ocean, and I always find a cool climate and marine style in the wines from this vineyard. This 2014 offers tons of black raspberry, cracked pepper, violets and sea breeze-like characteristics to go with a full-bodied, supple, polished, even sexy profile on the palate, with its oak component covered by pure fruit. Made from 100% Syrah that spent 20 months in new oak, drink bottles over the coming 5-7 years.

I continue to be blown away by these wines from winemaker Jeremy Weintraub, who's also the winemaker for Adelaida in Paso Robles. Focusing on Rhone varieties, mostly from Ballard Canyon, the wines see a small amount of whole clusters, with the Grenache always aged in neutral puncheons and the Syrah mostly in new barrels. These are pure, balanced reds that possess top notch varietal character."