The opaque ruby/purple-tinged 2002 Syrah American Tradition Reserve offers sweet scents of smoky, toasty oak interwoven with creme de cassis, charcoal, and earthy/forest floor characteristics. Full-bodied and opulent, with beautiful fruit purity, decent acidity, and sweet tannin, this may be the finest example yet produced under this moniker. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. Tel. (805) 688-1545

Two tasters picked up pickled asparagus on the nose of this wine, enough to keep it firmly out of the ranks of the high scorers. That said, it still has a pleasant, soft mouthfeel and decent flavors of red berries and spice; one of our reviewers felt it was much better than reflected in the average score. ——W.E.(9/1/2005)—— 83