The 2011 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard (100% Syrah aged 22 months in 30% new French oak) is more focused and edgy than most vintages of this cuvee. Showing big minerality, with smoked meats, caramelized dark fruits and hints of game, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, excellent mid-palate depth and enough ripe tannin to evolve nicely for upward of a decade. Making their wine in the town of Santa Barbara, Craig Jaffurs and David Yates continue to make a bevy of outstanding wines, all of which remain reasonably priced. Both their 2011s and 2012s are made in a fresher, lighter-weight style that highlights purity and finesse over richness and power. Tel. (805) 962-7003; www.jaffurswine.com

Also tasted out of barrel and the most impressive of the 2011s, the 2011 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard offers loads of pepper, spice, spring flowers and black raspberry aromas and flavors as well medium to full-bodied richness, superb balance and plenty of tannin reining in the finish. As with the Larner, it should benefit from short-term cellaring and have 10-12 years of ultimate longevity. Drink 2015-2023.

Black fruit, smoke, tar, licorice and cloves are some of the notes that inform the 2011 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard. This is the deepest, inkiest and most virile of the Jaffurs Syrahs. Black pepper, olives and sage all blossom on the huge, ample finish. The Bien Nacido was done with fully destemmed fruit. Drink 2014-2021