The potentially outstanding 2003 Highland Estates Syrah Alisos Hills (a Los Alamos vineyard) is a 100% Syrah aged 19 months in all French oak, of which 41% is new. The opaque blue/purple color is followed by smoky, camphor, blackberry, currant, and pepper notes. Good acidity, medium to full body, and a well-textured, long finish suggest it should be consumed over the next 5-6 years. Tel. (800) 769-3649; Fax (800) 600-5985

The potentially outstanding 2003 Highland Estates Syrah Alisos Hills (a Los Alamos vineyard) is a 100% Syrah aged 19 months in all French oak, of which 41% is new. The opaque blue/purple color is followed by smoky, camphor, blackberry, currant, and pepper notes. Good acidity, medium to full body, and a well-textured, long finish suggest it should be consumed over the next 5-6 years. Tel. (800) 769-3649; Fax (800) 600-5985

Pours dramatically dark and brooding, with an enormous burst of white pepper, blackberry and coffee and an edge of smoked meat and leather. Huge in the mouth, with masses of blackberries, plums, espresso. Bone dry, thick in sweet tannins, and long on finish. Drink now— 2012. ——S.H.(5/1/2006)—— 93