The 2007 Syrah is somewhat monolithic and underwhelming. While it reveals good color and plenty of blackberry fruit, it just isn't singing at present. Although this is a Napa report, I took the liberty of including the Pride Mountain Sonoma bottlings since their wines tend to be primarily Bordeaux varietals rather than the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, etc. that will be covered in the Sonoma report. My apologies to subscribers and the winery for some mistakes I made last year in issue #180, when I listed 2006 instead of 2005 for the Reserve and Vintner's Select wines. This is the strongest portfolio of Pride Mountain wines that has been made under the new winemaker, Sally Johnston, who replaced Bob Foley several years ago.Tel. (707) 963-4949; Fax (707) 963-6039

A very rich Syrah, in the Pride style. If it’s not particularly complex or subtle, it more than makes up for it with massive fruit and sheer muscle power. Floods the mouth with ultraripe, briary blackberries, cherries, raspberries, currants, mocha and plenty of black pepper and Indian spice.——S.H.(9/1/2010)—— 90