2022 Syrah "Life and Death"

The 2022 Syrah Life and Death marks the first 100% Syrah Julia and Nikolas Krankl have made under Fingers Crossed, and it's a beauty. Inky and opaque in the glass, the 2022 is plush, enveloping and seamless, with all edges polished and finely honed. Lavender, sage, orange peel and ripe blackberry saturate the palate, while slaty mineral undertones and ultra-refined tannins carry the finish. The fruit is sourced from Bien Nacido and Stolpman—two of the finest Syrah vineyards in Santa Barbara County, if not California. Density and concentration abound, yet there's unmistakable grace and drive here.  
- Billy Norris (08/2025)

Another singular, as well as absolutely perfect, wine from this remarkable family team, the 2022 Syrah Life And Death is 100% Syrah from Bien Nacido and Stolpman vineyards, aged 21 months in 61% new oak. It has a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a classic Bien Nacido nose of blackberries, pepper, iodine, and iron notes, with perfectly integrated background spicy oak. Deep, pure, elegant, and beautifully balanced on the palate, it has full-bodied richness, integrated acidity, and a seamless profile. This is stunning stuff that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and can be enjoyed over the following two decades. Drink 2027-2047.  (04/2025)

Made from 100% Syrah, the 2022 Life and Death Syrah comes from Stolpman Vineyard and Bien Nacido. It was made using 18% whole clusters and was matured for 21 months in French oak barriques, 61% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes barreling out with profound notes of plum preserves and juicy blueberries plus nuances of mint tea, black pepper, lavender, and tapenade. Full-bodied, the palate delivers wonderful energy with bright black fruits and savory accents, framed by ripe rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy. 575 cases were made. (08/2025)

Tasted before bottling, the 2022 Syrah Life And Death is the first single-variety bottling from Fingers Crossed. It was sourced from Bien Nacido and Stolpman Vineyards, fermented with 18% whole clusters and aged for 21 months in 61% new French oak. True to the varietal makeup, the nose is darkly fruited and streaked with hints of black pepper, framed with a dusty, herbal quality that melds with touches of alcoholic heat. The palate is ripe, soft and luscious in texture, transitioning to a gritty, slightly hot finish. This was a moving target in the glass and could improve after bottling, although that back-end burn is problematic. 
- Matthew Luczy (08/2024)