The trick with growing Syrah in the Highlands is hitting the sweet spot between ripeness and its opposite. This bottling certainly achieves very fruity black currant, dark chocolate, pepper and root beer flavors that are delicious. It has a sharpness throughout that detracts from the lush feeling, but that sharpness may go away with some time in the bottle. ——S.H.(12/1/2008)—— 86

The vineyard has been the source of great Syrah, and while this is a good wine, it’s not without flaws. Brilliantly ripe in black currants, cherries, cassis, chocolate, sweet leather and spices, it’s dry and finely structured. But there’s a scour of acid that disturbs its equilibrium.——S.H.(9/1/2007)—— 85