Stainless steel fermented and aged in 25% new French oak for 12 months, the 2016 Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard has a medium ruby-purple color and gives up aromas of dried lavender and desiccated violets with touches of cocoa, cast iron pan, crushed blackcurrants and blackberries, plus hints of menthol, charcuterie and earth. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers fresh, peppery fruits with a firm frame of grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long and elegant. 1,000 cases produced.

The 2014 Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard is quite reserved, showing some light reduction, slowly opening up with notes of dark berry fruits, spice and bay leaf. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with juicy acids and fine tannins, but rather compact in profile, without much depth or dimension.

Lastly, plums, blueberries, smoked herbs and pepper all show from the rich, medium to full-bodied, lively, nicely fruited and textured 2013 Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard. Aged just over a year in 28% new French oak, it has solid freshness, good purity and fine tannin, and at 22 bucks is a terrific value.