No questioning the ripeness of this Syrah. It floods the mouth with jammy cherries, blueberries, currants and chocolate, with a peppery edge accented by smoky new oak. A bit soft and obvious in its palate appeal, it’s at its best now and for a couple years.——S.H.(12/31/2008)—— 89

More exciting than winemaker Heidi Barrett’s Santa Ynez bottling, this smooth, creamy-textured Syrah is packed with ripe plums and blackberries, yet manages to be complex at the same time, adding hints of pepper and dried spices. The long finish echoes with hints of ripe berries and cracked pepper.——W.E.(9/1/2005)—— 90