Wines Central Coast Lillian Winery - Syrah - 2015

Viniou Reviews

Lillian Winery's 2015 Syrah, hailing from California's Central Coast AVA, is a wine that beautifully captures the diversity and generosity of this celebrated region. Made entirely from Syrah grapes, the wine showcases a deep, inky colour with an enticing bouquet of blackberries, violets, pepper, and subtle smoked meats. The 2015 vintage benefited from a warm growth season, resulting in concentrated fruit flavours and firmly structured tannins. The winemaking at Lillian is meticulous, with gentle extraction and mindful oak usage to retain the Syrah's aromatic complexity, lending the wine a velvety texture and long, expressive finish with hints of spice and dark chocolate.

Central Coast AVA, stretching between Santa Barbara and San Francisco, is renowned for its cool foggy mornings, warm afternoons, and diverse soils that range from limestone to shale and clay. This variety in terroir allows for remarkable nuance and depth in wines, particularly Syrah, which thrives in these conditions. The region's viticultural history is rich, dating back to the Spanish missions, but it is in recent decades that it has become especially prominent for quality-driven, artisan wineries focusing on Rhône varietals. The coastal influence tempers the heat, yielding wines with fresh acidity and elegant aromatics, making the Central Coast a leading region for New World Syrah.

For pairing, the robust character and spicy undertones of this Syrah make it an ideal partner for hearty dishes. Consider grilled lamb chops in rosemary, slow-braised beef short ribs, or game meats such as venison. The wine's aromatic complexity also works beautifully with aubergine-based Mediterranean dishes or a traditional Californian tri-tip barbecue. Regional American cheeses such as Dry Jack or a mature cheddar would further complement its intensity.

To fully appreciate Lillian Winery's 2015 Syrah, serve it at a temperature of 16-18°C. Decanting for at least an hour prior to tasting will help integrate the tannins and release its layered bouquet. This wine is drinking well now but has the potential to evolve gracefully for several more years if cellared properly.