Beginning with a sweet and smoky nose reminiscent of teriyaki beef jerky, black peppercorn and black raspberry syrup, the 2018 Syrah The Pixie is big, juicy and hedonistic in the glass. Full-bodied and high octane, the fresh fruited palate is vibrant and food-friendly with firm tannins and a kiss of residual sugar. The wine continues to somersault across the finish, with lush, juicy plum tones with a blackberry reduction. 4,800 bottles were filled. This will be gorgeous with slow-cooked barbecue.

The 2015 Syrah The Pixie was aged in once-used barrels (and I'm guessing high-toast Fran?ois Frères), but they still impart a considerable payload of char to the bouquet of berry fruit. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, lavish and succulent, with a bright, spicy finish. It's juicy and nicely concentrated, and with a bit of bottle age, I suspect this will come together very nicely.

Coming all from Red Mountain, the 2014 Syrah The Pixie (100% Syrah) is as inky colored as all of Chris' wines and offers terrific notes of black raspberries, smoked herbs, licorice and that dusty soil/graphite character that's present in all the wines from Red Mountain. It has building tannin and a balanced, classic style. It, too, will be better in a year or two and keep through 2024.

Another concentrated, full bore 2013 from this estate is the 2013 Syrah The Pixie (100% Syrah aged in equal parts new and once used barrels), which has some big, chunky tannins as well as tons of fruit and texture, a full, layered mid-palate, excellent purity and one serious finish. The tannin gives me pause, yet I think they’ll integrate nicely with 2-3 years of cellaring. It should drink well over the following decade. Note, this cuvee comes from Ciel du Cheval, Kiona, End of the Road Ranch and Klipsun vineyards.

The 2012 Syrah The Pixie is another terrific wine from this estate. Smoked meats, cracked pepper, ground herbs, chocolate and assorted black fruits all flow nicely to a full-bodied, blockbuster palate. While this lacks some elegance, it makes up for it in sheer texture and richness, while never coming across as heavy. Enjoy this bombastic beauty over the coming 4-5 years.