The nose of the 2014 Syrah The Hustler is scented of dark fruit, with red cherry-tinged expression to the fruit core that makes it pop with a more subtle feeling compared to other Syrahs in the range. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, the wine is spicy and more about precision than power on the mid-palate. The finish is slightly subdued yet still lingers long, indicating that this should age well for more than a decade. Only 143 cases made.

While the 2013 Syrah The Hustler was closed aromatically (it reluctantly gave up notes of pepper and meatiness), it’s flat out fabulous on the palate, with terrific concentration, beautiful mid-palate density and impeccable balance, all suggesting it needs short-term cellaring. I suspect it will have two decades of longevity.

Still in barrel at the time of this tasting, the 2012 Syrah The Hustler is a blockbuster styled Syrah that's overflowing with notions of sweet red and black fruits, toasted bread, cured meats and cedar. Only made in special vintages (it was previously made in '03, '07 and '09) and aged 38 months in French oak, it's full-bodied, decadent and layered, with a weightless, elegant, seamless feel. Coming all from the Morrison Lane Vineyard (it's actually the Morrison Lane Syrah with extended barrel aging), it should be ready to go on release and dish out tons of pleasure over the following decade or more. The extended elevage has given this a more upfront feel, yet I suspect it will also allow it age more slowly as well.

2 Only the second time The Hustler has been made, this spent 38 months in barrel. All the fruit is sourced from the Morrison Lane vineyard. Port-like and amazingly concentrated, it’s about as far as a dry wine can go and show fruit that is not buried in new oak. Here the fruit is a dark blend of berries and cassis; there is a dense layer of chocolate and earth underneath, with a finish loaded with baking spices.——P.G.(12/15/2011)—— 96