2020 Faethm Fingers Crossed Syrah

Lastly, the 2020 Syrah Head Held High is a rich, powerful wine that shows the warmer style of the vintage while staying focused, pure, and balanced. Blackberries, black pepper, violets, game, and a kiss of iodine all flow to a full-bodied Syrah with silky tannins, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a gorgeous finish. It's another singular, remarkable wine from this incredibly talented team that I wish every reader could taste. Looking at the 2020s from Fingers Crossed, these show the richer, riper style of the vintage and are noticeably bigger wines than the 2021s. Nevertheless, they hold onto a beautiful sense of vibrancy and are flawlessly balanced. The 2021s come across as more cool climate-inspired, with bright, fresher styles that certainly had me thinking of comparisons from the Rhône (the Syrah in particular). One thing is sure, you can’t go wrong with any of these latest releases from Nicolas and Julia Krankl. In addition, I expect production to increase slightly here going forward, as they’ve been able to pick up a few additional parcels in top vineyards in Santa Barbara County.

The 2020 Syrah Head Held High comes from the Bien Nacido and Sanford & Benedict Vineyards. The Syrah is blended with 7% Grenache, 1% Mourvèdre and 4% white wine and was vinified using 40% whole clusters. It matured in 79% new French oak barrels for 20 months and was bottled in July of 2022. Opaque ruby-black in color, the nose features alluring peppermint patty, violet, tar, coffee bean and underbrush aromas that complement a deep core of cassis. The full-bodied palate boasts luxuriously powdery tannins and latent tones of wild game, wildflowers and tea leaves that linger on the finish. It's remarkably complete at this youthful stage and could merit a higher score as it unfolds in the bottle. It should be very long-lived. The Head Held High Syrah will be sold as part of a six-bottle set that will include two bottles each of white wine, Syrah and Grenache for $684. Only 312 cases were made.

Aromas of chocolate, hazelnut and blackberry. Some wet earth and black olive skin, too. Full and deep with tightness and focus. Full-throttled, yet it remains poised and energetic. Focused. Needs time to mellow and open, but balanced. Drink or hold.