Bonaccorsi’s generic, dark ruby/plum-hued 2006 Syrah Santa Ynez reveals a northern Rhone-like peppery, black olive, meaty, fruitcake-scented bouquet, an evolved, mid-weight style, and plenty of spice and herbs. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. Tel. (310) 994-3207

The deep ruby-colored, medium to full-bodied 2002 Syrah Santa Barbara offers a complex nose of resiny, earthy, spice box notes intermixed with black cherry, blackberry, and currant scents. Elegant yet authoritatively flavored with fine purity and light tannin, it should drink well for 5-7 years. Anyone who knew Mike Bonaccorsi obviously has a profound sense of sadness that this young man, at the beginning of his winemaking career (he was a well-respected sommelier for many years), died so young. It was difficult to taste through these wines and realize that even though he is no longer here, his Syrahs and Pinot Noirs (reviewed elsewhere in this issue) were the finest wines I had tasted from Bonaccorsi, and his winemaking abilities were jumping by leaps and bounds with each new vintage. Words somehow seem meaningless under such circumstances, but as a wine lover, I’m hoping his wife and friends continue to carry on his work.Tel. (805) 686-2906

The fruit-driven, straightforward, medium-bodied, monolithic but consumer friendly 2001 Syrah exhibits good color saturation along with flavors of berries, currants, herbs, and spice. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.Tel. (805) 686-2906