The 2006 Syrah Hop Barn Hill, from the rocky slopes near the winery, is another northern Rhone look-alike, with notes of bacon fat, roasted meats, and bouquet garni. Dense and full-bodied, with hints of black olive, camphor, and earth, this is an intriguing but backward style of Syrah that needs several years of bottle age and should drink nicely for 10-15+ years. Martinelli’s Zinfandel portfolio continues to grow, with as many as five different offerings now available. The 2006 and 2007 Jackass Hill Vineyard cuvees were not tasted at this visit. However, the other four wines I tasted, all from steep hillside vineyard sites with the newer plantings planted from bud wood of both the Jackass Hill and Jackass vineyards, were brilliant. They are among the fullest-bodied, headiest, most distinctive Zinfandels made in California. Tel. (707) 525-0570; Fax (707) 525-9463