This wine comes across as a classic Hermitage with less earth, but with the blackberry liqueur/creme de cassis-like trademarks. It boasts an opaque black/purple color, as well as an extraordinary nose of black fruits, blackberries, and cassis, full-bodied, awesomely concentrated flavors, gobs of glycerin, low acidity, and a 40+ second finish. This is a thrilling, thick, juicy, succulent, formidably-endowed Syrah that should age effortlessly for 10-15 years. 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