Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Fingers Crossed
Label Name:
 
Off the Record Syrah
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
United States
Region:
 
Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
15.9%
Grape(s):
 
93% Syrah, 2% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre, 3% Roussanne
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Jeb Dunnuck: 100 points (noted for complexity and balance). Wine Advocate (Lisa Perrotti‑Brown): 98 points. Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 94+

Tasting Note
Dense black and blue fruit (blackberry, cassis) with smoked game, cracked black pepper, salami/iron notes, violets and savory herbs; silky, ripe tannins and a long, mineral-laced finish.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roast lamb, aged cheddar. Asian: Korean BBQ (bulgogi/galbi), Chinese red-braised pork, Szechuan beef, char siu.

Production Method
Hand-harvested fruit from multiple Central Coast sites; ~22% whole-cluster fermentation; aged 20 months in French oak (≈68% new); blended and bottled July 2020.

Vineyard Info
Fingers Crossed (formerly FÆTHM) is Nikolas/Nicolas Krankl’s project (son of Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non); small-production, Rhône-style California wines since 2017.