A strong scent and flavor of vitamin pill mixes with tight red fruit, stone, licorice and earth in this Rhone blend that includes small amounts of Grenache and Mourvedre. Give this wine time to breathe and let the fruit come forward before you drink it.——P.G.(3/1/2009)—— 88

This is the third vintage for Zerba Syrah, and they have struck a consistent note, with spicy fruit suggesting fresh-picked strawberries, wrapped in slightly pickley barrel flavors. Supple and well-defined, it is a light wine that needs a little more time to smooth out the wood.——P.G.(12/31/2007)—— 86

Following the excellent ’03 Syrah, this young, tightly wound effort, from Yakima Valley (Minick Farms) fruit, frames its tangy strawberry preserve flavors in spicy American oak. Solid craftsmanship, nothing showy. It has a moderately concentrated black cherry mid-palate and continues along a seamless path to a satisfying finish.——P.G.(3/1/2007)—— 88