Retasting the 2023 Syrah The Great Places Otto Reynard Stolpman as a finished wine only solidified my impressions from last year before its bottling, and if anything, I may have been a touch conservative in my range. As I wrote last year, it originates from a west-facing section of stake-trained vines propagated from pre-clonal cuttings of Domaine Auguste Clape's parcel in Reynard, specifically a parcel dating back to 1903. The most floral and perfumed of the series, it opens with a gorgeous nose of lavender and violet aromas grounded by black and blue fruits with dusty, spice-driven flourishes. On the palate, it is seamless, dense and concentrated while exuding a palpable sense of authenticity that feels tailored and guided rather than forced into its robust frame. It finishes with a quick punch of velvety, tannic intensity before recoiling with youthful tension. Even with a relatively short time in the glass, this wine unlocks dynamically, the finish eventually displaying a classy decadence through an upright, unwavering posture. The combination of unbridled power, papal finesse and refined structure is even more harmonious and impactful than I recall, resulting in a profoundly complex and sophisticated expression of Syrah.

The 2023 Syrah Great Places Otto Reynard Stolpman is the coup de grace of the Great Places range. It's vibrant, sensual and built for the long haul. Vivid blue fruit takes center stage, layered with spice, mineral shadings and floral top notes. A polished spine of tannin carries the Otto Reynard with precision, leading into a finish that is long, focused and resonant. Still a touch inward today, the 2023 already shows extraordinary balance and depth, with the substance to evolve for many years. This is a benchmark for Syrah in Santa Barbara County.

Stolpman wines are stylistically distinct, offering primarily full-bodied expressions of classic Rhône wines with serious ageing potential. Stolpman Estate Otto Syrah is brimming with ripe fruit and savoury spice. Flavours of blueberry bramble, baked pie crust, and black peppercorn-encrusted filet mignon give this wine a sense of rustic luxury reminiscent of Cornas, blended with the coastal simplicity of Santa Barbara. A hearty tannin backbone carries through the length of the finish and beyond.