Arcadian’s 2006 Syrah Westerly is quite delicate in style. Freshly cut flowers, dark red berries, mint and spices come together nicely in this understated, impeccable wine. There is a purity and centeredness to the fruit that is striking. Varietal notes aren’t terribly expressive, but the 2006 compensates for that with its textural finesse and elegance. Westerly is Joe Davis’ warmest site. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. Joe Davis is straightforward, frank and tells it like it is, or at least as he sees it. Davis’s time in Burgundy, and in particular the year he spent at Dujac in 1994/1995, remains a deeply formative experience. One of the many unique attributes of the Arcadian wines is that they are released with several years of bottle age, as opposed to the majority of Central Coast wines, which are released as soon as they are bottled. The Arcadian Pinots and Syrahs are made with a high percentage of stems, typically in the 80-100% range.Tel. (805) 737-3900; www.arcadianwinery.com

The stunningly Rhone-like 2004 Syrah Westerly Vineyard reveals a classic Northern Rhone meaty, peppery, lard-like nose with plenty of black fruit and earth notes. Medium to full-bodied and pure with a gorgeous texture, sweet tannin, and a well-balanced finish, it should drink well for 4-5 years. Tel. (805) 688-1876; Fax (805) 686-5501