Another top-notch wine is their 2013 Syrah 6th Sense. This wine, from Syrah planted in 1982 in the sandy soils of Lodi, has a touch of Petite Sirah blended in, but shows beautiful camphor, acacia flower and blackberry fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, sweet tannin and a lush, velvety textured, layered mouthfeel. Remarkably, they make about 60,000 cases of this wine and it is a winner.

The classic 2012 Syrah 6th Sense does not compete flavor-wise with the two Cabernets or the Petite Petit, but it is an attractive, supple, full-bodied, black-fruited Syrah offering notes of roasted meats, black olive tapenade, and blackberries. Soft, round and juicy, it is best drunk over the next several years.

The 2011 6th Sense Syrah (100% Syrah) is pleasant (and certainly recommendable), but it is one of the least interesting offerings in this portfolio. This is a "gold star" winery for consumers looking for values as just about every wine they produce offers abundant flavors as well as inexpensive prices, no doubt partly because they are working from the relatively backwater viticultural area of Lodi. Tel. (209) 368-7384

The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2010 Syrah 6th Sense exhibits notes of bacon fat, licorice, tobacco leaf, underbrush and black fruits. This 11,000-case cuvee aged in French oak should drink well for 4-5 years. Michael David is doing everything right offering a treasure trove of value priced wines. This winery has a portfolio of marvelous, bold, flamboyant, value-priced wines that over-deliver across multiple varietals. Tel. (209) 368-7384

The 2009 6th Sense Syrah is good, but not up to the level of the other offerings from Michael David Winery. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color that is opaque to the rim, straightforward black fruits, a monolithic character and a decent finish. It can be consumed over the next several years. Shrewd consumers should be seeking out the offerings from this value-priced winery. Tel. (209) 368-7384; Fax (209) 368-5801