Two of the single-vineyard Syrahs tasted austere, very tightly knit and closed, and in particular the 2006 Syrah Page-Nord Vineyard seemed clipped in the finish. Nevertheless, I liked the black fruits in the aromas as well as the hints of new saddle leather, licorice, and charcoal. The wine hits the palate with authority, has medium to full body, but then seems to abruptly stop. It could be just going through a charmless state of evolution. Novy, the moniker for Siduri’s Rhone Ranger operation, has produced their strongest lineup to date, four sensational 2007 Syrahs produced from purchased fruit. For pure value, these wines are hard to beat. The top two 2006 Syrahs I reviewed last year from Novy Family Vineyards were the Garys’ Vineyard and Rosella Vineyard, both from the Santa Lucia Highlands. They were well over 90-point wines and the picks of the litter. The following group is much less impressive than those two wines or the Novy portfolio of 2007s. Nevertheless, there are some wines here that are very fairly priced and merit serious consideration.Tel. (707) 578-3882

Made solidly in the Novy style of ripeness, power and sheer yummy deliciousness. The tannins are very big but finely ground, so you can drink it now, with decanting. Flavorwise, it’s all about currants, chocolate, licorice, cola and black pepper. Compelling, and should develop for a good six years.——S.H.(12/31/2008)—— 93