This is a backward wine. It is a black/purple-colored, full-bodied blockbuster with gobs of cassis and blackberry liqueur-like flavors, tannin and earth in the flavors, as well as a structured, backward feel in the mouth. The wine has huge extract, fabulous purity, and is another tour de force in Syrah winemaking. It seems to me that Adam Tolmach and the Ojai Vineyard are strong candidates for one of The Wine Advocate's wine personalities/wineries of the year. Readers should not miss these efforts. Ojai has turned out an impressive wine. If I were to invest in vineyard land in California, I would consider three spots - northern California's Anderson Valley and Sonoma Coast for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Santa Barbara for Syrah. Over the last several years, there has been considerable evidence that Adam Tolmach's Ojai Vineyard is among the leading candidates for Santa Barbara's top winery. The brilliance of these wines over the last several vintages has been uncontestable. Ojai's new releases include many stunning wines, particularly the Pinot Noir and Syrah offerings. This is not to say the whites are uninteresting. Tel. (805) 649-1674