One of California's real pioneers of serious Syrah, Phelp's hits the mark smartly with this generous and expressive offering. A big, full-bodied wine with a fine sense of solidity and a proper bit of tannic grip, it is nonetheless quite well-balanced with lots of fruit, plenty of spice and more polish than expected of such a massive working. If still a little rough and ragged at the end, it finishes with all of its fruity richness in tact, and it needs another five or six years to reach its best.

Full saturated ruby. Aromas of blackberry, currant, licorice, mint and shoe polish. Sweet, lush and fairly large-scaled, with rich black fruit flavors. A fruit-driven rather than gamey style of syrah, finishing with ripe, spreading tannins that reach the teeth. More complex and distinctly riper than a '99 syrah from Monterey that will be sold only at the winery.