Sobon’s Syrah is from one of the winery’s oldest plantings, one that is organically farmed and lightly cropped. The resulting wine, which includes small percentages of Zinfandel (6%), the winery’s specialty, as well as Petite Sirah (2%) and Grenache (2%), is more on the savory meat and cooked plums end of the Syrah spectrum, with a silky texture. The wine falls a tad flat on the finish. ——V.B.(3/1/2011)—— 87

A well-made but unrewarding wine, raspingly dry, tart and thin in flavor. The flavors are mainly dried herbs and tobacco, with suggestions of berries and cola.——S.H.(7/1/2008)—— 83

This is the kind of wine that goes with just about anything that goes with red. It’s dry and completely balanced in acids and tannins, with a good melange of cherries and mushroomy, earthy notes, and a silky, velvety mouthfeel. Really hard to find anything not to like.——S.H.(10/1/2007)—— 88

Smells invitingly fine, with a classic rotie Syrah nose, but quickly turns Porty and sweetly hot in the mouth, with the flavor of stewed raisins and a sugary finish. ——S.H.(7/1/2006)—— 82