The 2008 Syrah Thompson Vineyard has a similar but more opaque ruby/purple color and sweet, intensive spring flowers intermixed with blueberry and blackberry fruit. Compared to the Ampelos, this wine cuts a broader, richer feel across the palate. It has good freshness, purity, and balance, a big, beefy mid-palate, and a long finish. This is an earthy, personality-filled, individualistic Syrah to drink over the next decade or more.

The 2008 Syrah Thompson Vineyard has a similar but more opaque ruby/purple color and sweet, intensive spring flowers intermixed with blueberry and blackberry fruit. Compared to the Ampelos, this wine cuts a broader, richer feel across the palate. It has good freshness, purity, and balance, a big, beefy mid-palate, and a long finish. This is an earthy, personality-filled, individualistic Syrah to drink over the next decade or more. One of Santa Barbara’s superstar wineries, Jaffurs has been on fire over recent vintages. Craig Jaffurs is certainly one of the pedal-to-the-metal, brilliant young winemakers in Santa Barbara, and his wines reflect his commitment to quality and dedication to such extraordinary grapes as Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, and Roussanne. Grenache is probably the second most difficult grape in the world to produce high quality wine from (with Nebbiolo first). Tel. and Fax (805) 962-7003

Intense pepper, spice and dried berry flavors are full-bodied and tight, marked by a cedary edge. Impressive for its focus, restraint and persistence. The tightest of the 2008 Jaffurs bottlings. Cellar. Best from 2012 through 2021.

Fat and delicious. Marked by huge, explosive blackberry, cassis, beef jerky and pepper flavors, housed in a fine structure. Wonderful tannins, rich and firm, with enough acidity for balance. Drink this full-bodied red wine over the next five years.