This is Brian Carter’s southern Rhone blend, two-thirds Syrah and one third Grenache. A lovely, dark, plummy purple, intensely fragrant with fresh berries, plums, whiffs of cocoa and sandalwood, a wine to sniff with contemplative pleasure. I love the details, and how the flavors follow the appealing nose with graceful harmony. Carter keeps the alcohol at 13.3% without sacrificing a bit of flavor or ripeness.——P.G.(5/1/2007)—— 91