The Paring by Jonata Syrah 2021
(Santa Ynez Valley, California) - [JD 93] [WA 90]

About the Winery:

Made from the vineyard blocks that are either too young or don't fit into the vintage style of the highly acclaimed Jonata and The Hilt wines—The Paring is essentially a "chip off the old block." The grapes are sourced primarily from three Santa Barbara regions on the vanguard: Ballard Canyon, Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley.

Armed with a degree in Soil Science from the University of Vermont and vintages at Staglin in Napa, California and Craggy Range in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, Matt has an intrinsic feel for wine, from dirt to glass. Curious and experimental by nature, Matt’s approach to winemaking is grounded in the vineyard first and foremost: attuned to the vines, the weather, the soil, Matt seems almost to be a part of the vineyard itself. 

Matt comes to wine with an untethered philosophy, a mindset embodied in The Paring. At the core of these wines one finds a wide-ranging exploration of style, vineyards and blending. When he's not working with The Paring, Matt can be found making the wines for its big sister wineries - Jonata and The Hilt.

About this Wine:

This Syrah comes to The Paring team from Santa Ynez Valley. After the grapes are harvested the wine is aged in 35% new, 65% neutral French oak for 22 months. 

Aromatically the wine has notes of delicately dried violets, tart blackberries, and freshly cracked black pepper. On the palate, there is a perfect balance of sweet black fruits and damp topsoil with a bold tannic backbone.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Exotic black and blue fruits, ground pepper, violets, and some bloody, iron-like notes all emerge from the 2021 Syrah, which is another smoking value in the lineup from the team at Jonata. Concentrated, medium to full-bodied, pure, and remarkably well-balanced, it's going to be jaw-droppingly good for 7-8 years. The blend includes 8% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier." - JD (Aug 2024)

90 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Blended with 8% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, the 2021 Syrah leads with an authentically peppery, herbal nose with subtle meaty accents. Ripe and confident on the palate, it closes with an intensely savory, woody finish that offers incredible nuance and length for the price point. Along with the Pinot Noir, it is a highlight among a roster of hard-to-beat values." - ML (Oct 2024)