Classic Booker with its serious levels of dark fruit, chocolate, earth and mineral, the 2011 Syrah Booker Vineyard (67% Syrah, 33% Mourvedre) builds incrementally on the palate and delivers full-bodied richness and depth without ever seeming heavy or cumbersome. Aged in 300- and 350-liter hogsheads, this seamless, focused and layered barrel sample is brilliant and could come from nowhere else. It should have 15+ years of longevity. Drink 2016-2026. Proprietor Justin Smith continues to fashion some of the most distinctive and impressive efforts coming out of California today and despite an ever increasing level of notoriety and well deserved praise, he remains incredibly humble and down to earth. While the cooler nature of the 2010 and 2011 vintages show in the wine, there’s been a trend here to pull back slightly on the ripeness and oak regime, with an increasing reliance on concrete, whole cluster and larger format barrels. These cooler vintages have also favored the Syrah heavy blends in the lineup, with the Broken Stones, Booker and Bone Rock showing an added dimension. Nevertheless, you can’t go wrong here and this is one mailing list you do not want to miss! Tel. (805) 610-0363; www.saxumvineyards.com