Heavy, with blackberry and blueberry jam and pepper flavors wrapped into strong tannins. It’s a dry, well-ripened wine, but needs greater liveliness and complexity, especially at this price.——S.H.(8/1/2010)—— 85

Tastes more like Zinfandel than Syrah, with intense black pepper, wild berry, currant and leather flavors, but that aside, it’s a pretty good wine. Dry and tannic, it calls for barbecue.——S.H.(4/1/2009)—— 86

I have enjoyed this bottling from Acorn in the past, and I like this one, although it’s a bit simple and soft in jammy fruit. But there’s no denying the wealth of cherries, blackberries, currants, chocolate and leathery spice. Probably best now, and for a few years. ——S.H.(5/1/2007)—— 87

Superripe and high in alcohol, but dry, this Syrah is rich and lush in blackberry, coffee and chocolate flavors. It has a smooth mouthfeel and soft acids. If you like these big, luscious, New World wines, it’s for you.——S.H.(4/1/2006)—— 85

Does a good job at the Syrah thing, namely, a full-bodied red wine, dry and rich in fruit, and soft in tannins and acids. Rises into complexity with the melange of coffee, cocoa and spice flavors. ——S.H.(8/1/2005)—— 86