2010 Stolpman Vineyards Twenty Syrah Ballard Canyon Santa Barbara 750 ml

Stolpman Vineyards was having a big moment, and everyone standing in the cellar knew it. 

It was the end of 2010, twenty years since Tom Stolpman had first planted Syrah in Santa Barbara’s uncharted Ballard Canyon—a risk that was eventually ratified by success, and by the flood of growers that followed him. Twenty years was a big deal, and as Tom, his son Pete, and their team swirled a barrel sample of 2010 Syrah, everyone agreed that they had to commemorate the milestone. Somehow.

The 2010 growing season had been long and cool, and it showed in the wine—it was clear to everyone present that this was going to be their most age-worthy vintage yet. As they swirled and sipped, an idea took shape. If this Syrah was truly going to shine with time, they figured, then let’s give it time. Let’s cull our favorite blocks, rest it for as long as it needs both in barrel and in bottle, and release it when it’s ready. 

Ten years later, the 2010 Stolpman Vineyards Twenty Syrah Ballard Canyon is ready. And today’s offer sums up our access as perfectly as any ever has. 

No one but Stolpman’s mailing list is getting this wine. But because of the friendship we’ve enjoyed with Stolpman since the very start, Wine Access members get an allocation—one that has been stored cold and cork-down for more than six years. It doesn’t get more special than that.

Half of the barrels in the Twenty Syrah came from Ruben’s Block, the tightly planted vineyard that their viticulturist, “Grape Whisperer” Ruben Solorzano, planted after being inspired by a 2006 trip to Côte-Rôtie (the block also produces Stolpman’s $98 Syrah). The rest came from Hilltops, the east-facing sweet spot that has always produced some of Stolpman’s most memorable wines. 

In 2014, Pete got a call from one of Stolpman’s Portuguese cork producers—the man was excited to announce a technological breakthrough that enabled his company to guarantee a taint-free cork. It was great news, but it came a little late for the 2010 Twenty Syrah, which had just been bottled. But just over a year ago, as this Syrah’s release date was drawing near, Pete sent the 450 cases up to Napa to be inspected, then re-stoppered with the brand-new TCA-free corks. In other words, this wine is ten years old, in flawless shape, equipped with a taint-free cork, and ready for more time in the cellar—if you can resist drinking it now. 

Trust us, you’ve got to open one bottle right away, as this wine is beautifully mature and showing gorgeously. Displaying a ruby center with crimson and garnet tones at the rim, the nose is haunting and exotic, with soft tones of wild blueberry, spiced black plum, crushed black raspberry, and pepper. Licorice, violets, wild game meats, and sage interplay with rosemary and organic earth. The palate is voluminous and expansive, showing grace and a savage elegance. 

This library wine demonstrates the true nobility of Syrah and of Ballard Canyon, and we’re thrilled to have it.