Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Fingers Crossed
Label Name:
 
Head Held High Syrah
Vintage:
 
2020
Country:
 
United States
Region:
 
Santa Maria Valley / Santa Barbara County, California
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
12.5%
Grape(s):
 
88% Syrah, 7% Grenache, 1% Mourvèdre, 4% white blend (Chardonnay, Roussanne, Marsanne)
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Wine Advocate 96; Jeb Dunnuck 97–99 (barrel sample); Vinous 94–96; The Wine Independent ~96. highly praised by critics

Tasting Note
Inky black fruits and blueberry compote with violet, peppery herbs, tar and coffee-bean notes. Silky, powdery tannins, hints of game, wildflowers and tea leaves; very long, perfumed finish.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled lamb chops, roast beef, braised short ribs, charcuterie, aged cheeses. Asian: Korean BBQ, hoisin/Peking duck, char siu, spicy Sichuan beef, teriyaki glazed pork, mushroom dishes.

Production Method
Fermented with ~40% whole clusters; matured 20 months in French oak (≈79% new); blended with small amounts of Grenache, Mourvèdre and white varieties; bottled July 2022.

Vineyard Info
Fingers Crossed (Nikolas & Julia Krankl) is a small California boutique producer sourcing fruit from Bien Nacido and Sanford & Benedict vineyards; focused on Rhône varieties and small-production, terroir-driven wines.