The 2008 Syrah The Big Easy is a large-scaled, jammy wine bursting with plums, blueberry jam and French oak. It shows excellent up-front richness and power, but then loses some intensity on the mid-palate and finish. The Big Easy is 78% Syrah and 22% Petit Syrah that spent 22 months in French and American oak, 40% new. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. This line up from Fess Parker is impressive. A number of the higher-end wines are delicious, but I was most struck by the quality of several of the estate’s entry-level offerings. These are some of the very finest values in California.Tel. (800) 841-1104; www.fessparker.com

A terrific wine, packed with rich blackberry, blueberry, cassis, tar, dark chocolate, smoked meat and black pepper aromas and flavors. The blend is 78% Syrah, while the remainder of Petite Sirah brings that variety’s weight, color and tannins. The grapes come from some of the best vineyards in the county. ——S.H.(12/1/2011)—— 90