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Antonio Galloni’s 2017 Vinous Reviews
Posted: Sep 20, 2017
Antonio Galloni, the founder of the online wine publication Vinous, tastes our wines every spring and shares his thoughts in his September review. We are thrilled with the scores we received on all of our wines, especially our Syrah wine program.
“Steve Beckmen’s 2015 Syrahs – The wines are rich, ample and strikingly beautiful.” – Antonio Galloni
2015 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah Clone #1
Rating: 94
Drink Date: 2018 – 2025
Date Tasted: September 2017
The 2015 Syrah Clone #1 Purisima Mountain Vineyard presents a darker fruit profile than the straight Purisima Syrah, with more of an unctuous, inky feel as well. This is in a decidedly overt, flamboyant style, and yet all the elements are wonderfully fused together.
2015 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah
Rating: 94
Drink Date: 2018 – 2024
Date Tasted: September 2017
The 2015 Syrah Purisima Mountain Vineyard is a wine of real distinction. Powerful and deep, but not overdone in any way, the 2015 captures the stylistic middle ground of intense fruit and savoriness that is the single most distinguishing characteristic of Ballard Canyon Syrahs. The 2015 is not an especially big wine for the appellation, but rather a Syrah of impeccable balance and class. I loved it. Another year or two in bottle will only help the wine come together even more fully.
2015 TLB
Rating: 93
Drink Date: 2017 – 2023
Date Tasted: September 2017
The 2015 TLB Estate Cuvée, Beckmen’s Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend from vineyards in Los Olivos, is another success. Blueberry jam, lavender, spice, tobacco and menthol infuse a super-expressive wine that is brimming with personality and class. Moreover, with its pungent flavors and feel, the TLB is a classic Los Olivos wine.
2014 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah Block Six
Rating: 93
Drink Date: 2017 – 2024
Date Tasted: September 2017
The 2014 Syrah Block Six Purisima Mountain Vineyard emerges from the very top of the vineyard. Today, the Block Six is quite ripe and powerful, with the slightly roasted character that is the signature of the year. Even so, the 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring, especially at the dinner table, where the formidable tannins will stand up to even the heartiest of foods.
2015 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Rating: 91
Drink Date: 2017 – 2023
Date Tasted: September 2017
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is very appealing. Blueberry jam, dried herbs, black olives and leather, along with the bold flavor profile that is typical of Los Olivos Cabernets, all develop in the glass. This is in an especially exuberant style, but it works, and nicely.
2016 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Viognier
Rating: 90
Drink Date: 2017 – 2020
Date Tasted: September 2017
The 2016 Viognier Purisima Mountain Vineyard is fresh, perfumed and inviting. Aging in steel and neutral oak keeps the flavors precise and nuanced. Good varietal character in an underrated style. This is a terrific showing.
2015 Cuvee le Bec
Rating: 90
Drink Date: 2017 – 2020
Date Tasted: September 2017
The 2015 Cuvée Le Bec, Steve Beckmen’s entry-level red, is quite tasty. In this vintage, Grenache set was more generous than the Syrah, where yields were decimated. The ripeness of the year comes through nicely in the intense dark cherry fruit, tobacco and licorice flavors.