Samsara Santa Barbara County Syrah 2014

Samsara’s 2014 Santa Barbara Syrah embodies the Melvilles’ desire for perfection. Their 2014 Santa Barbara Syrah is highly aromatic, superbly balanced and downright enticing in all respects. Ethereal aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, mulberry, and wild herbs with deft touches of cola, exotic spices and vanilla entrance the nose. In the mouth, spicy dark berry flavors mingle with seductive floral notes that are superbly carried in a seamless sea of smooth tannins, which thoroughly charm the palate. Medium-bodied yet full-flavored, the 2014 Samsara Santa Barbara Syrah displays plenty of concentration that is nicely balanced by the wine’s harmonious tannins and long, lingering finish. The quest for perfection is more than evident in this wine. No wonder Samsara receives so many 90+ point ratings for their wines, including 92 points from both Antonio Galloni and Wine Advocate for the 2014 Santa Barbara Syrah. For optimal enjoyment, we suggest opening the 2014 Samsara Santa Barbara Syrah at least 30 minutes prior to consuming at cool room temperature (no more than 64° F). It can be drunk now or cellared for another 6 or 7 years.

Wine as alluring as the 2014 Samsara Santa Barbara Syrah can certainly stand proudly on its own with nary a morsel, but why limit ourselves to one gustatory pleasure when a host of carefully paired dishes can more than double the pleasure. Some favorite pairings include crostini with camembert and blackberry jam and a wild mushroom bruschetta. A traditional pairing with Syrah and perennial favorite is a juicy, perfectly cooked rack of lamb marinated with garlic, olive oil, fresh thyme and rosemary. Roast loin of pork with a Mediterranean herb-infused black olive paste provides another fine accompaniment to Samsara’s magical 2014 Santa Barbara Syrah. Braised duck legs with olives, and a savory venison stew make splendid complements, too. Syrah also lends itself to superb pairings with many kinds of cheeses, including, Cheddar, aged Gouda, Gruyère, Camembert and milder examples of goat and sheep’s milk cheeses. Enjoy!

Passion, oneness, and harmony sum up just about everything about Samsara, one of Santa Barbara County’s hidden jewels. Set among the picturesque Santa Rita Hills, the winery’s name Samsara (sam-sahr-uh) originates from Sanskrit and refers to the endless cycle of life: births, deaths, and rebirths to which humanity is subject as well as the process of coming into existence as an individual, mortal creature. Owners Chad and Mary Melville live and breathe the endless cycle of life with a holistic, sustainable approach to viticulture in which their minimalist approach to winemaking from organically farmed vineyards results in wines of impeccable balance, harmony, and a distinctive spirit all of their own.

Samsara gently fashions tiny batches of more than a dozen wines each vintage from superbly situated micro-sites in Santa Barbara County, mostly in the Santa Rita Hills AVA. Grenache, Pinot Noir and Syrah are Samsara’s claim to fame and ultimate quests for perfection. “The resulting wines are an interpretation of the tenuous balance between the power of natural elements beyond our control and the human desire to reach perfection,” says Chad Melville. And that’s no hyperbole! Taste and see for yourself! We don’t think you will be the least bit disappointed.