Fermented with indigenous yeast and matured in French oak barriques, 20% new, for 14 months, the 2009 La Strada Syrah gives a medium-deep garnet-purple color and aromas of freshly crushed blackberries, warm black plums and cracked black pepper over soy and black olives. Medium bodied, it gives plenty of mouth-filling flavors with a good line of refreshing acid, firm chewy tannins and a long finish. Approachable now, it should cellar to 2016. Importer: Au Bon Climat, CA