A pretty wine, with a touch of wintergreen mint and bacon fat adding complexity to the blackberries, cherries and cassis. Co-fermented with some Viognier, it’s vibrant in the mouth, with a welcome cut of acidity to brighten and uplift the fruit. A flashy, elegant, opulent Syrah to drink over the next several years. ——S.H.(11/1/2011)—— 93

The star of this trio, the 2006 Syrah Larner Vineyard, is from a superb vineyard site that, seemingly regardless of the producer, tends to provide floral, blueberry, blackberry, and crushed rock characteristics. This big, dense, blue/purple-colored 2006 offers a stunning nose of acacia flowers, blueberries, and black raspberries, a full-bodied mouthfeel, sweet, silky tannins, and a layered, multidimensional personality. It should drink well for 7-8+ years. Tel. (310) 994-3207