2019 1NGREDIENT Syrah Ballard Canyon

A natural wine, fermented and aged on the skins for 10 months in amphora. The wine was then hand crushed and aged for an additional 10 months in amphora before being hand bottled and hand labelled. Learn more about our natural 1NGREDIENT label.

The 2019 1NGREDIENT Syrah is arguably our finest effort from our 1NGREDIENT label. The wine is produced from Syrah Clone 174 grown in Block Six on Purisima Mountain Vineyard, which was harvested early for this wine, blended with 2.5% 2019 1NGREDIENT Viognier. The wine saw the same aging regiment as the 1NGREDIENT white wines with 10 months of skin contact in amphora followed by an additional year of the wine aging in amphora. As with all our 1NGREDIENT wines, the Syrah is cluster sorted then berry sorted, crushed and bottled by hand with no additives or preservatives. With only 13.5% alcohol, the 1NGREDIENT Syrah is a tremendous achievement from our winery crew.

The inaugural release of a 1NGREDIENT Syrah bottling is an amazing and complex wine. Floral, gamey, and spicy aromas wrap around a core of bright, fresh black cherry and plum. The wine is medium bodied and plush through the mid-palate with smooth tannins and acidity that carry the flavors to a long finish. There is a tremendous mineral side with the limestone and clay from the amphora creating a sensation of crushed wet rock. Amazingly clean, the 2019 1NGREDIENT Syrah has the potential to age 50+ years. Decanting is suggested over the next several years.

Tech Sheet

Critic Reviews

Terroirist

94 Points

Light purple color. Wow, the nose is so floral and breezy, like red cherries, pomegranate and rose petals on a spring meadow. The earthy, savory, peppery vibes are delightful. On the palate, this sports dusty tannins and a crisp, nervy appeal. Tangy raspberries and currants, so pure and racy, light and crisp, yet there’s a lot of depth as well. Rose petals, violets, earth, pepper, sage, creosote, a lot going on here. There’s a stony, mineral essence and a post-rain high desert hike feel about this wine – a focused and singular Syrah. Aged 10 months on the skins and then an additional year in amphora.

Wine Enthusiast

91 Points

This is a unique and compelling project, involving just Syrah grapes, clay pots and nothing else. Aromas of cracked white and black pepper spice up the tarry boysenberry core on the complex nose, while the palate shows a more candied side, with strawberry and grape flavors. Editors’ Choice

Owen Bargreen

90 Points

The 2019 Ingredient Syrah also saw ten months of skin contact, as a touch of Viognier (2.5%) was blended in. The palate is soft, inviting and very nuanced. Red cherry candy, red licorice, white pepper and smoky undertones all combine nicely, as the smooth texture adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2022 – 2029