This offering is an outstanding wine that could easily pass for a dazzling Rhone. It possesses a beautiful ruby/purple color, as well as a terrific nose of cassis and pepper intermingled with a whiff of tar and herbs. Rich, with luscious smoky fruit, this medium to full-bodied, ripe, low acid yet gorgeously knit Syrah can be drunk now and over the next 6-7 years. Ojai has turned out an impressive wine. If I were to invest in vineyard land in California, I would consider three spots - northern California's Anderson Valley and Sonoma Coast for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Santa Barbara for Syrah. Over the last several years, there has been considerable evidence that Adam Tolmach's Ojai Vineyard is among the leading candidates for Santa Barbara's top winery. The brilliance of these wines over the last several vintages has been uncontestable. Ojai's new releases include many stunning wines, particularly the Pinot Noir and Syrah offerings. This is not to say the whites are uninteresting. Tel. (805) 649-1674