The 2008 Syrah Hop Barn Hill is another wine that lacks freshness. Chocolate, plums, prunes, black cherries and spices come together in this rich, dark Syrah. There is plenty of intensity in the glass but the alcohol is evident and the wine simply lacks the balance of the finest bottles here. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. Martinelli is one of the original pioneering families in Sonoma. I tasted a wide range of wines during a recent visit. The 2008 Syrahs, from a challenging vintage, are a bit up and down, but the rest of the wines are all outstanding. As always, these are fairly bold, extroverted wines, but their overall balance is typically superb. Tel. (707) 525-0570