Zotovich Family Vineyards
Estate Syrah
Santa Rita Hills
2008
$45
True cool climate wines are hard to come by. Many claim to be, yet few have the correct
geographic locations to be such. Zotovich Vineyard runs just to the west side of route
246, the eastern side of the Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County. As the wind whips
around the bend from the Pacific Ocean from Lompoc, it leaves its coastal influence on
the vineyards providing long cool days and allowing grapes to ripen slowly, over a longer
period. If picked when the grapes are void of green tannins, they give a very balanced
wine.
Syrah is very rarely made in this manner or even in this appellation, which is usually
reserved for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Syrah is usually grown more east in the Santa
Ynez valley, where the degree day heat is higher.
Ryan Zotovich crafts a wine that is rich yet balanced with blue and black fruits marked
with hints of white pepper and plenty of minerals provided by the diatomaceous earth
that his vineyard sits on. Though the wine is higher in alcohol than is typical for the
vineyard, it is balanced by the acidity that the region is famous for.
It is also a young vineyard, and as the vines age the alcohol levels will reduce giving less
richness of fruit and more depth in the palate. Ryan is definelty a winemaker to watch,
follow, and imbibe his works.
This Syrah will age gracefully over the next decade or so. Try it with Santa Maria Style
Tri-Tip or other grilled beef dishes.
Tomme de Savoie
Cow au lait cru
Savoie, France
$30/lb
This small grassy tomme (meaning small round) is one of the most representative
cheeses of all of France. The style in which it is made has been constantly imitated not
only in France but throughout the world. It is made of raw milk. There is no filter from
ground, to milk, to cheese. If you love Gruyere, you'll love this cheese.
Something sweet...
Try Pastilla Nash Sugar Plum and Walnut Log (9.2oz) for $30.
Sweet, simple, with a touch of savory. It is made of dried sugar plums, walnuts, sugar,
lemon juice, and honey. That's it!
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Zotovich Family Vineyards
Estate Syrah
Santa Rita Hills
2008
$45