Bottle Notes, Syrah

2006 Lillian Syrah – Bottle Notes

The 2006 Lillian Syrah was the runner up in the December installment of Pick My Next Bottle. As promised I am opening a bottle to post a Bottle Note since the vote was so close.

Maggie Harrison was assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non for eight years before moving to Oregon to take over the wine making position at Antica Terra. Lillian, founded in 2004, represents Maggie’s personal project and reflects everything that she learned during her time at Sine Qua Non.

The fruit for the Lillian Syrah comes from the White Hawk Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. The 77 acre vineyard was planted in 1997.

The wine is opaque purple in color. 15.6% ABV. Cool dark fruits, iron, violets and anise on the nose. Exceptionally well balanced with great acidity. Rich and unctuous. Blueberries, vanilla, leather, pepper and saline on the palate. Still somewhat tannic. The finish is endless. Drink over the next 2-4 years.

My rating: 94 points.

Super wine but I slightly preferred the ’05 tasted about a year ago.

Lillian belongs in the discussion of best domestic syrahs with the likes of Cayuse, Saxum and Sine Qua Non.

The wine is available via the web site once a year and current vintages run about $75. I recently blogged about Lillian forgoing their mailing list.

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