An outstanding offering, the 2003 Syrah Roasted Slope Vineyard exhibits smoky, Cote Rotie-like, flowery, bacon fat, cassis, cherry, and licorice characteristics. It is elegant and medium-bodied with superb richness, sweet tannin, and decent acidity. Drink this complex beauty over the next 5-7 years. Tel. (805) 686-9604

Co-fermented with Viognier grapes which were so ripe they were almost late harvest. The Viognier dominates the Syrah, giving the wine a lemondrop sweetness that’s weird. Too bad, because the Syrah seems fine.——S.H.(11/15/2006)—— 84