The 2007 Syrah Verna’s Vineyard is the most supple, forward, and fruity of this trio. It is a straightforward Syrah offering plenty of blue and black fruit, floral, cassis, and blackberry characteristics, soft, round, medium to full-bodied flavors, and copious glycerin as well as plushness. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 years. While Melville may be more well-known for their brilliant Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, they also do a spectacular job with Rhone varietals.Tel. (805) 735-7030; Fax (805) 735-5310

From a cool site comes this wiry, tannic Syrah. It’s pretty astringent now, a bone-dry, peppery wine with wild blackberry, herb, violet and pepper flavors finishing with a stony, chalky minerality. Cellaring for a few years should soften the edges.——S.H.(11/1/2009)—— 90