There are those who are going to find this wine a little too ripe for their tastes, and at an advertised 15.5% alcohol, they are not that far off the mark. Still, if one accepts that Syrah can be full in body and concentrated in character, like the wines of Cornas in the northern Rhone, for example, then this one will be viewed as a big winner for its deep, intensely fruity, spicy, almost grapey nose and flavors and for the solid, muscular but not overdone way it has been put together.

Rating for United States-California-Central Coast: 93 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: young, aging quickly, could be good now<br/>