Always the most backward and structured of John's three Syrahs, the 2010 Syrah Seymour's Vineyard is no exception. Possessing brighter acidity and more tannin than either the Reva or Lorraine, this big, full-bodied, backward bruiser offers lots of currants, blackberries, caramelized meats, olive and chocolate nuances. It's another 2010 that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years, yet will have two decades or more of longevity.

The 2010 Syrah Seymour's Vineyard emerges from a well-drained site rich in chalk and flint. Savory herbs, new leather, smoke, tar and tobacco all take on expressive aromatic overtones. Sumptuous and intensely perfumed, the Seymour's has more than enough density to stand up to the 100% new oak. Veins of underlying, saline chalkiness reappear on the finish, adding further complexity.