Syrah, Morgan Winery

Dark fruit with confidence, not cologne. Blackberry compote, blueberry skin, and a line of black plum set the stage, followed by smoked herbs, cracked pepper, and a smooth, cocoa-dust finish. It’s Syrah that reads cool-climate even when it’s flexing, with that perfect California polish. A mix of stainless steel and neutral oak keeps the fruit lifted while rounding any edges. Some whole-cluster in the ferment adds savory lift and that gorgeous pepper note without making it stemmy. Think structure without weight.

Morgan Winery knows the Santa Lucia Highlands the way locals know backroad shortcuts. Fog, wind, and chilly afternoons define this AVA, giving Syrah its trademark spice-first profile. ‘G17’ is named for Highway 17, the coastal artery that connects Monterey Bay to the inland valley — a nod to the region’s marine influence and cool-climate swagger.

Syrah’s pepper note isn’t poetic — it’s chemistry. The aroma compound rotundone [responsible for that cracked-pepper smell] shows up in Syrah more than almost any other grape. If you smell pepper, it’s because the grape put it there.