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.