It is ripeness rather than keen Syrah fruit that sets the course of this very dense, full-bodied working, and, while it is lightly seasoned with peppery spice, it smacks a little too much of milk chocolate. Its initial tilt to softness is checked by tannin and tense acids, and, in the end, its truncating mix of astringency and palpable heat costs it any chance at unqualified recommendation.

Community Tasting Notes (average 87 pts. and median of 87 pts. in 3 notes)

10/14/11 w/ Pao

hand passed hors d'oeuvres