The 2012 Block B Syrah was harvested on September 18th and 25th and made with 52% whole cluster. Aged 18 months in 44% new French oak barrels and puncheons, it's powerfully styled this vintage, with an opaque color and surprisingly youthful fruits for nearly a decade in bottle. It offers notably pure scents of black cherries, cracked pepper, lavender, coffee beans and mint, and the palate is full, supple and silky in texture, with a long, floral finish. This will continue to evolve (slowly) in bottle over the next decade. 353 cases produced.

Ripe, plumb and generous, with a smooth entry introducing rich graphite and mineral-driven blackberry notes. Maintains focus and structure amid the long, persistent finish, echoing the core flavors. Drink now through 2028. – December 2014 (James Laube)