Dry, leathery and tannic, this Syrah isn’t offering much relief right now. It has tightly wound flavors of crushed blackberries, black currants, cola, leather and pepper. It’s a good mountain wine, but it really needs some time. Give it four or five years.——S.H.(7/1/2009)—— 88

Rugged tannins are front and center in this youthful wine. There’s a wealth of complex wild blackberry, licorice, grilled meat, sage and white-pepper flavor, and the wine is impeccably balanced. With alcohol a relatively modest 14.4%, this powerful Syrah will reward cellaring. Best 2008–2012.——S.H.(12/31/2007)—— 92