Region: California, United States

Vintage: 2020

Composition: 100% Syrah

History: A new project from Winemaker, Greg Brewer, Ex Post Facto breaks away from Greg’s Burgundian roots at Brewer-Clifton to explore a Rhône style wine from his beloved Santa Barbara County. The origin of the name is from ex post facto law, “a law that makes illegal an act that was legal when committed.” Ex Post Facto encapsulates Greg’s almost deviant desire to go outside his Brewer-Clifton paradigm to explore an outside muse. Greg Brewer has been steadfastly wedded to Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the entirety of his career. He has also worked with Syrah from the area beginning in 1993 and for decades thereafter working in the services of other wineries. Ex Post Facto is an alteration of outcome for this Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producer.

Tasting Notes:

Syrah from a cold climate fascinates as it maintains lifted and perfumed aromatics that subsequently usher in tremendous fruit intensity. Fermentation is carried out as whole clusters to further elevate those high tones of blue flowers and white peppers and to corset the fruit by resultant savory tannins. Those tannins provide a tea-like architecture that offers tremendous length and a savory herb character to harmonize with virtually any dish.