The 2020 Syrah Seven comes from fruit in Ballard Canyon and the Sta. Rita Hills. It was made without whole clusters or much new oak and matured for 17 months. It has great purity on the nose but takes significant time to open its blackcurrant, blueberry, violet and tea leaf aromas. The medium-bodied palate sits at a fulcrum between lean and ripe styles, offering concentrated flavors on a slender frame, and plenty of refreshing acidity. Offer it a couple of years in bottle or a long decant. 550 cases produced.

Medium ruby-purple, the 2019 Syrah Seven features black and red currants with nuances of aniseed, tobacco leaves, dried lavender and olive. The palate is chalky and fresh with crunchy black fruits and bright acidity, and there's a flourish of dark spices and earthy accents on the long finish.

Medium to deep ruby, the 2016 Syrah Seven is savory on the nose, giving up green and black olive, mint leaves, blackcurrant, black cherries and bacon fat with touches of pepper and red fruit sparks. The palate is medium to full-bodied and restrained with a firm frame of ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long. 575 cases produced.

The 2015 Syrah Seven is another success from Dragonette, revealing aromas of rich red and black fruit, grilled meat, licorice, bay leaf and raw cocoa. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, supple and layered with fine, powdery tannins, succulent acids and a lingering savory finish. It's an elegant, flavorful Syrah that's already drinking well. 350 cases were produced.

Moving to the Rhone releases, all three of these latest releases are flat out fantastic. The 2013 Syrah Seven checks in as a mix of 89% Syrah, 8% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre and a splash of Viognier that’s from a mix of vineyards throughout the Santa Ynez Valley. Aged 20 months in 7% new oak, it offers classic notes of blackberries, peppery herbs, smoked game and a kiss of olive in its medium to full-bodied, balanced, layered and seamless personality. There are only 400 cases available, but it’s a seriously impressive red to drink over the coming decade.