The winery’s top selection, the 2004 Syrah Maximus Hillside Reserve, is a dense opaque/purple-hued effort with good underlying acidity, stunning elegance for a New World Syrah, and notions of damp earth, asphalt, blackberries, cassis, flowers, and herbs. Deep but subtle, it is a stylish, singular Syrah that will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age, and drink well for 12-15.Tel. (805) 686-9922

Blackjack Ranch’s wines are always slightly closed, often making them somewhat difficult to evaluate. Nevertheless, they are loaded with potential, and possess considerable character as well as a French-like elegance. The 2003 Syrah Maximus exhibits a deep ruby/purple color in addition to subtle, but sweet aromas of barbecue smoke, blackberries, cassis, licorice, saddle leather, and earth. It is a powerful, layered, ripe wine with moderately high tannin as well as admirable purity and persistence. Give it another 12-18 months of bottle age, and enjoy it over the following decade.Tel. (805) 686-9922

The sensational 2001 Syrah Maximus is sweet and fleshy, with extra levels of glycerin adding to the texture and length. A profound example of Santa Barbara Syrah, it boasts an opaque purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of licorice, black pepper, twigs, chocolate, and blackberries. Dense and full-bodied, with outstanding purity, it is more accessible than its older sibling, but may have a longer lifeline of 15-20 years. Tel. (805) 686-9922

There are 404 cases of the 2000 Syrah Maximus. The saturated purple color is accompanied by subtle notes of French oak intertwined with black and blue fruits, camphor, and white flowers. This backward, serious, formidably endowed Syrah possesses the acidity and tannin of a young Hermitage. It is a compelling offering that requires 3-4 years of cellaring, or a lot of aeration, to reveal its considerable character. It should evolve effortlessly for 12-15 years. Tel. (805) 686-9922