Zaca Mesa

Sort By:

Zaca Mesa 2009 Black Bear Block Estate Grown and Bottled Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

Price $60

If the first duty of a wine is to be delicious, this tiny production bottling succeeds beyond all measure. The Black Bear Block is almost always Zaca Mesa’s best Syrah among its many releases, and so it is again in 2009. Take one sip and you’re dazzled by the refined tannins, dryness and complexity of flavors: blackberry, cassis, plum sauce, mocha, bacon, smoky oak… — S.H. (2/1/2013)

points

Zaca Mesa 2007 Grenache (Santa Ynez Valley)

Editors' Choice
Online Exclusive

Price $32

This spectacular 100% Grenache is a huge success. It’s so delicious, you can hardly stop drinking it. Just oozes in raspberry and red cherry purée and caramelized, smoky oak richness, yet is thoroughly dry. An amazing, unforgettable wine that establishes a new benchmark for California Grenache from this winery that was an early pioneer in Rhône varieties. — S.H. (10/1/2010)

points

Zaca Mesa 2005 Black Bear Block Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $58

So delicious, complex and dramatic, it might almost be from the Northern Rhône, except for a certain softness that identifies it as warm California. Hard to describe the waves of blackberries, black and red currants, grilled meat, mocha, licorice, graphite, Tabasco and pepperspice flavors, and how they change every second. This is the best Black Bear Syrah that… — S.H. (2/1/2009)

points

Zaca Mesa 2006 Black Bear Block Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

Price $58

This is always a great bottling, and Zaca Mesa’s 2006 Black Bear Block goes to the head of the line in newly released California Syrahs. It’s an enormously rich wine, filled to the brim with pure blackberries, currants, cocoa and peppery-spiced oak, and the finish turns to milk chocolate. But it’s dry. The 2006 vintage was a very good one for Zaca Mesa’s various… — S.H. (4/1/2010)

points

Zaca Mesa 2004 Black Bear Block Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

Price $55

The wine is certainly dense and layered, showing waves of blackberries and cherries, sweet leather and Asian spice, olive tapenade and beef carpaccio, and sweet, smoky new oak. It’s extremely complex, and should develop in the cellar, although not for a long time. Best now through 2010. — S.H. (2/1/2008)

points

Zaca Mesa 2006 Mesa Reserve Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

Price $42

What a roll Zaca Mesa’s been on with Syrah. Their ‘06 Reserve is dark, rich and impressive, with chocolaty flavors of ripe crushed blackberries, mulberries, violets, teriaki-glazed beef, cedar and black pepper. Dry and tannic, but supple enough to drink now. — S.H. (11/1/2009)

points

Zaca Mesa 2007 Black Bear Block Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

Price $60

Made from 100% Syrah, this wine shows Zaca Mesa’s house style of exceptionally ripe, heady fruit flavors tucked into a balanced, dry wine. It’s as lush as velvet in the mouth, with complex flavors of blackberries, anise, cocoa and black pepper. Feels soft and light and yet powerful and insistent at the same time. Drink now–2013. — S.H. (11/1/2011)

points

Zaca Mesa 2007 Eight Barrel Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $38

Profoundly rich, offering massive blackberry, currant, chocolate, bacon and spice flavors that are liberally oaked. A fine structure provides needed balance, with strong, finely ground tannins and brisk acidity cleansing the palate. Young now, and should develop for the next six years. — S.H. (9/1/2010)

Most Reviewed Designations

Black Bear Block Eight Barrel Estate Estate Grown and Bottled Mesa Reserve Z Blanc Z Cuvee Z Gris Z Three Z Three Red Wine Zaca Vineyards

Most Reviewed Varietals

Chardonnay Grenache Grenache Blanc G-S-M Mourvèdre Red Blend Rhône-style Red Blend Rhône-style White Blend Rosé Roussanne Syrah Viognier

2009 Monte Pinadillo Ciranza

Black fruit, raisin and minerally aromas combine to create a formidable…

(Sponsored)