A big, vital Syrah, massively packed with intense blackberry fruit, in the way of Mount Veeder reds. It’s distinctly Syrah-esque, with pepper and bacon flavors, and the winemaker has added a deft layer of smoky oak. Very good, but young and sweetly immature. Needs time. Give it another three years, but if you pop the cork now, decant for several hours. ——S.H.(12/31/2011)—— 92

A worthy successor to the ’04, Potelle’s latest Syrah is a monumental wine. It’s decadently good now in its youth, with soft tannins that frame massive black currant, mocha, olive tapenade, grilled meat and crushed black pepper flavors that go on and on through the spicy finish. But 6 or more years of cellaring will see this wine evolve in interesting and possibly dramatic ways.——S.H.(10/1/2008)—— 94

Dense and structured, this rating may look conservative in a few years’ time when this wine comes into its own. Right now, it displays some coffee and blackberry notes against a backdrop of toasty oak and chewy tannins, but the long finish bodes well for the future. ——W.E.(9/1/2005)—— 87