Deep garnet-purple colored, 2011 Cellar Selection Syrah presents a nose of freshly crushed blackberries and black cherries with plenty of underlying pepper and spice notes and a whiff of dried herbs. Light to medium-bodied, it has a good amount of black berry flavor in the mouth lifted by peppery / herbal notes and framed by a medium level of rounded tannins, finishing with good length. Drink it now to 2017+. Imported by Ste. Michelle Estate, Woodinville, WA.

The superb 2008 Cellar Selection Syrah has another lovely bouquet with blackberry, blueberry, Hoi Sin and a touch of white pepper. Very fine definition and so much vigor. The palate is medium-bodied, silky smooth on the entry, quite sumptuous with ripe vanilla-laced blackberry and plum fruit with just a touch of liquorice and spice towards the silky finish. Drink 2012-2018. The clement weather during the 2009 vintage meant that Villa Maria's winemaking team faced a 20% above average crop. Bearing in mind the pitfalls of over-production in 2008, strict yield controls were imposed on each winery, with many lopping off a whole cane. Villa Maria continues to produce a strong diverse portfolio that embraces entry-level varietals to limited bottlings of single vineyards. As mentioned in previous reports their Pinot Noirs remain their Achilles heel in an otherwise impressive, diverse range. In particular, I feel that their Syrah are really coming into their own. I have included wines from Vidal and Esk Valley that are under the same umbrella, but treated separately. Importer: Ste Michelle Wine Estates, Woodinville, WA; tel. (800) 267-6793