The 2018 Syrah Toasted Slope Syrah is blended with 2% Viognier and 1% Grenache and was matured for 21 months in 65% new French oak. It has a deep ruby color and classic aromas of tar, earth and allspice with a core of blackberry fruit. The medium-bodied palate is firm and grainy with generous freshness, although its flavors are still somewhat coiled on the finish. Offer it more bottle time. 250 cases were made.

Opaque black in hue, the 2015 Syrah Toasted Slope offers up aromas of blueberry and plum preserve, dark chocolate and hot earth, followed by a full-bodied palate that assaults the tongue and gums with a huge endowment of firm, dry tannin and baked fruit flavors. It's a monster Syrah that would have benefited from a lighter touch with extraction.

Blended with small parts of Grenache, Mourvedre and Viognier, the 2013 Syrah Toasted Slope is another well made wine from this estate. Aged 17 months in 60% new French oak, it sports an inky color as well as charming, downright sexy notes of jammy blackberries, licorice, toasted spice, potpourri and hints of barbecue smoke. One of the more sweetly fruited, straightforward releases in 2013, it's still a serious Syrah that has tons of appeal. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.

Another sensational effort that does everything right is the 2012 Syrah Toasted Slope. Similarly concentrated as the Old 900, it has more elegance, fine tannin and polish to go with full-bodied, ripe, decadent notes of cassis, licorice, smoked herbs, pepper and violets. The blend here is 90% Syrah, 8% Grenache and 2% Viognier, all of which saw the same elevage as the other reds here (67% new French oak for the Syrah, 8% new for the Grenache). Drink this inky colored, balanced and layered beauty anytime over the coming decade.

Slightly more rustic and chewy than the Old 900, the 2011 Syrah Toasted Slope has plenty of creme de cassis, licorice and crushed flower-like aromas and flavors to go with a medium to full-bodied, structured and nicely concentrated palate feel. The tannin stands out here, so give this another year or so, and plan on drinking bottles by 2020. I continue to love what this estate does. The wines have classic Paso Robles fruit and texture, and stay balanced, clean and lively. Tel. (805) 570-7708; www.altacolinawine.com