97pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

A new addition to Stolpman's array of own-rooted, ultra-high-density plantings, the 2022 Syrah The Great Places Jessica Lauren Stolpman fits right in as a towering expression of Santa Barbara County Syrah. The plant material consists of Serine clones originating from Domaine Clusel-Roch's Les Grandes Places lieu-dit in Côte-Rôtie—from which Stolpman's series takes its name—planted at 6,000 vines per acre. The nose is one of the more aromatically open and expressive of this series, evoking quintessential Syrah aromas of cracked black pepper, roasted game and beef jerky, all bound together with an intense iodine character and black-fruited richness. The palate brings together a seductive trifecta of inky concentration, a lavish, velvety texture and an intensely savory undertone, all while avoiding overt opulence. The finish is glacial and cascading, swelling slowly while continuously regenerating spice-laden complexity bolstered by supple, spherical tannins. As with the rest of the range, I have no doubt this wine will dramatically benefit from cellaring, and the tiny production of 75 cases further emphasizes my recommendation to hold off on this for a few years.

97pts Vinous

The 2022 Syrah Jessica Lauren Stolpman is every bit as magnificent as it was last year. If anything, the 2022 has firmed up quite a bit since its bottling, which is probably a very good sign for the future. Rose petal, crushed red berry fruit, mint, orange peel and spice are all beautifully delineated in this taut, vibrant Syrah. What a wine.

97pts James Suckling

An elegant, impeccable wine with so much finesse. Iodine, iron, violets and char on the nose, then flavors of delicate blackberries, raspberries, dried blueberries and graphite with dense concentration and intensity. Moderate tannins, bracing acidity and a racy texture. Medium-bodied. Drinkable now, but best from 2029.

95pts Jeb Dunnuck

Along the same lines, the 2022 Syrah Great Places Jessica Lauren Stolpman is nevertheless more upfront and has juicy red and blue fruits as well as spring flowers, bacon fat, and violets. If the 2021 is more Hermitage, this is more Côte Rôtie, with a round, supple, sexy mouthfeel, wonderfully polished (yet still substantial) tannins, and a great finish. As with most of the Syrahs here, this was not destemmed and was brought up in larger, neutral barrels.

93pts Wine Enthusiast - Cellar Selection

Upon popping the cork, this wine begins a long journey of sensory evolution that is good evidence of how long it will last in the bottle. Tarry aromas weave through the damp earth, peppercorn and dark strawberry on the nose. There's a prickly acidity to the sip that integrates into the soil, berry and pepper flavors on the palate. This may evolve into a very amazing wine but it's hard to tell right now. Drink now-2042.

Tasting Notes

High wire, yet open and giving aromatics ride freely over olive and herbs (a nod to 100% whole-cluster fermentation). Fruit depth intensifies through the mouth over the savory undertones. Unprecedented energy somehow still bringing billowy yumminess. Red lightning bolts pierce the black night - red to black, black to red.  The wine packs so much love into a small, high-performance frame. Upon release, chalky fine tannins are perceptible giving the wine a courageous, assertive back bone. 

About the Wine

Stolpman’s Pre Clonal, Own Rooted Projects

In 2007, our vineyard manager Ruben Solorzano embarked on the most ambitious project in the new world – gathering pre clonal vine material from some of the world’s best vineyards, and then planting those vines without rootstock at our vineyard in Ballard Canyon. This vine material was planted own rooted with 2.5 x 3 foot spacing allowing for 6,000 vines per acre which produce wines unlike anything we had ever tasted. Each acre can only be worked by hand – requiring the full-time human labor of one person per year, per acre to bring these wines to you. There are no tractors. There are no short cuts. This is what we’ve been working on since 2007 and we’re excited to share it with you.

2022 Jessica Lauren Stolpman represents the 3rd pre-clonal strain to be added to the Great Places quiver. Planted in 2016, Jessica Lauren stands at just shy of an acre so production will remain tiny. Her pre-clonal strain represents the brand’s namesake Côte Rôtie parcel “Les Grandes Places” Serine.  

Organic

Biodynamic