Amor Fati Syrah Santa Maria Valley 2023

This gloriously indulgent California-style Syrah may come from the Murmur Vineyard, but it absolutely sings and shouts from the glass! Inky, juicy, plush – just outstanding and a total pleasure, hence the high marks from critics. 

Tooth & Nail Wine Company puts their best creations – what they call their “once-in-a-lifetime” wines – under their Amor Fati label (translation: “to love one’s fate"). Jeb Dunnuck anointed this 2023 with a 93-95 point score. We were destined to find you a deal, and we (and Alexis of Schitt’s Creek) LOVE that fate for you. 

The gorgeous fruit was grown on the Murmur Vineyard, which sits in the Santa Maria Valley roughly halfway between Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, about 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Winemaker Jeremy Leffert is working entirely with clone 887 Syrah here, and fermented 70% of the grapes in concrete and 30% in oak foudres. Next, he aged the wine for 13 months in a thoughtful mix of vessels of varying sizes and oak provenance, including French oak hogsheads, Austrian oak puncheons, and even larger Austrian demi-muids. 

58% new oak ensures this is a wine of substance that will cellar for five more years if you like – but more important for those of us tearing into it right now, the way those larger barrels reduce both oak and oxygen contact means the energy and freshness of the vineyard is beautifully preserved. This is all about fresh-crushed fruit flavors, yet it’s also savory and vivaciously aromatic.  

Dunnuck enjoyed the “terrific core of sweet dark fruits” and “outstanding length.” Wine Enthusiast praised the “charred coffee bean and roasted fig flavors.” The floral freshness, salty minerality, smoky herbs and meaty spice crackling through the luscious bramble berries and baked plums… mmm this is raucously, joyously good.