The Ojai Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, Stolpman Vineyard, Syrah 1997
1.0cm; faded and nicked label
Adam Tolmach, The Ojai Winemaker
Stolpman Vineyard is unique. While it looks like one of your run of the mill vineyards on oak studded rolling hills, closer inspection reveals its secret. The vineyard is planted on only one-and-one-half to two feet of real soil. Below that is a clay layer and then soft white chalk rock. This is unusual in California as most vineyards are planted on rich bottom land. At Stolpman the lack of soil and the chalky under layer seems to give the wine a special distinction. There is something in the aroma that is enchanting and appealing. It is dark, dank, and foresty. In the mouth I find earth, berries and lots of fine tannins.
This wine is probably within a year of its peak and a great example of why Syrah should be aged to fully realize it's potential. essence, the wine was not fined or filtered, and so quite a bit of natural sediment has accumulated during aging. So, to fully appreciate this Stolpman Syrah, decanting is essential.
91 CellarTracker
By the bottle at Noreetuh in NYC. Pnp; not decanted. Nose is full-throttle new world syrah, but with almost 25 years of age it’s in a place that is really compelling. Dusty leather, ripe, deep and rich blackberry and plums. Slightly savory, seaweed, black olives on the finish. Palate is really savory; more seaweed, umami, red pepper flakes (!) and black cherry. Really lovely American Syrah in a great place right now. Solid choice with a dry-aged porterhouse ; )
P.s. Definitely got better (more knit together, more lean muscle) as it opened up. I would decant if I could do it over again. 11/5/2022
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