2018 Faethm Fingers Crossed Off The Record Syrah [JD100][WA98]

Producer: Faethm 
Region: Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California 
Varietal: Syrah  
Year: 2018 

Jeb Dunnuck, 100 Points 

"Another killer wine, and one that tops out on my scale, the 2018 Syrah Off The Record checks in as 93% Syrah, 2% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, and the rest 3% Roussanne that saw just 22% stems and spent 20 months in 68% new French oak. Dense purple-hued, with awesome notes of smoked black fruits, smoked game, ground pepper, beef blood, spice, and violets, this beauty is full-bodied and elegant, with a perfect mid-palate and a great, great finish. Only the second release from this winery, this incredible Syrah seemingly has one foot in California with its ripe, sexy fruit and one foot in the Northern Rhone with its gamy, meaty, peppery, and wildly complex style. While it doesn’t have the same weight as say Sine Qua Non, Alban, or Andremily, it’s flawlessly balanced, insanely complex, and has a style all its own. Don’t miss it!" 

Wine Advocate, 98 Points 

"The 2018 Syrah Off the Record is layered, pure and seamless, an archetypal California Syrah with unabashedly ripe, hedonistic fruit. It's composed of some of the best Syrah vineyards in the Central Coast, including The Third Twin, Cumulus, Bien Nacido and Sebastiano. It was blended with 2% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre and 3% Roussanne, made using 22% whole clusters, and it matured for 20 months in 68% new French oak. Bottled in July of 2020 and tasted in May of 2022, it's had a chance to come together gracefully in bottle. Opaque ruby-purple in color, the Off the Record Syrah offers layered scents of cassis, iron, salami, aniseed and fried, savory herbs with touches of cracked pepper and beef drippings. The palate is stunning—it explodes with concentrated, floral fruits and has a silky, seamless feel as it glides through the mouth to a very long, nuanced finish. Wow!" 

Alcohol: 15.9% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.