Lucas & Lewellen Syrah 2011: Dark ruby color; dried flowers, blackberry, red meat on the nose;
black cherry, black olive, plum, pepper on palate; dry, medium body, strives for complexity but comes up a bit short; smooth mouthfeel, very relaxed tannin, mild acidity. Nice enough wine, but does not deliver power and wow syrah can generate. A Santa Barbara County product from three vineyards with cool microclimates, so it should have terroir chops, but acidity is as faint as the fruit. While infusion from a hotter California slope could boost the bottle, this product will moderately please those of fainter palate. Lucas & Lewellen built name over the past four decades selling grapes to other makers, then moved into their own winemaking. Their syrah will not remind you of Rhône or Australia, but is serviceable pour that does not offend and should please those who enjoy wines that do not challenge. $22-26 