A gorgeous nose of blueberry liqueur, crushed rocks, and acacia flowers jumps from the glass of the 2002 Syrah Melville Vineyard. It possesses tremendous nobility, purity, and presence in the mouth. Blue fruit characteristics are nicely caressed by subtle toasty oak and a hint of cold steel/minerals. This dense, medium to full-bodied, impressively endowed as well as harmonious Syrah will be at its finest between 2006-2013.Tel. (800) 225-3633

The 2001 Syrah Melville Vineyard exhibits an elegant blueberry and raspberry-scented nose along with attractive floral notes, and a pleasant, medium-bodied personality with no hard edges. It is a restrained, subtle Syrah to drink over the next 4-5 years. Tel. (800) 225-3633

My favorite of this quartet is the 2000 Syrah Melville Vineyard. Pure cassis and blackberry fruit characteristics along with a touch of white flowers and pepper emerge from this deep ruby/purple-colored 2000. It reveals the breed and class generally found in Melville Vineyard wines. Long, ripe, and stylish, it should be consumed over the next 7-8 years.Tel. (800) 225-3633

The wine is astringently tannic and offers little relief by way of flavor, but if you concentrate you’ll find a core of black cherry. Still, the structure is so fine that with a suitably rich dish, the wine would be better. ——S.H.(3/1/2004)—— 86