The 2007 Syrah Thompson wafts from the glass with high-toned floral aromatics that lead into dark red fruit, flowers, licorice, mint and spices. This is just over 75% Syrah, with the remainder Grenache and Mourvedre. It is one of the more feminine wines among these Syrahs and is quite beautiful. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. I admit I have mixed feelings about the wines I tasted at Ojai with proprietor Adam Tolmach and winemaker Fabien Castel. On the positive side, the wines are classy, elegant and also very fairly priced considering the quality of what is in the bottle. At the same time, it is obvious yields aren’t particularly low, which is somewhat mystifying considering Tolmach works with first-rate sites and is clearly getting pristine fruit. Don’t get me wrong, these are excellent wines?but they could be truly great, and maybe beyond great. The cellars are kept cold year-round, while the approach to winemaking remains quite minimalist. All of the whites are fermented in barrel, with full malolactic fermentation and very low levels of new oak. The Pinots are aged on their lees and are racked only before bottling. The Pinots see 25-35% new oak, while the Syrahs see even less. In recent years Tolmach has begun experimenting with whole clusters for both his Pinots and Syrahs. Tel. (805) 649-1674; www.ojaivineyard.com

More beef blood, tapenade, blackberry, leafy tobacco, and scorched earth-like aromas jump from the glass of the 2006 Syrah Thompson Vineyard. This dark plum/purple-tinged, layered, full-bodied Syrah can be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years. This is a special group of Syrahs from Adam Tolmach’s Ojai Vineyard. Moreover, prices have remained stable, so consumers should be standing in line to buy these wines. Tel. (805) 649-1674

More beef blood, tapenade, blackberry, leafy tobacco, and scorched earth-like aromas jump from the glass of the 2006 Syrah Thompson Vineyard. This dark plum/purple-tinged, layered, full-bodied Syrah can be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years. This is a special group of Syrahs from Adam Tolmach’s Ojai Vineyard. Moreover, prices have remained stable, so consumers should be standing in line to buy these wines.Tel. (805) 649-1674

The 2005 Syrah Thompson Vineyard is a powerfully concentrated, full-bodied wine oozing with blackberry fruit intermixed with smoky, burning ember, tobacco leaf, charcoal, and spice box notes. It possesses fabulous fruit as well as intensity, and finishes with abundant glycerin and depth. Its 15.3% natural alcohol is well-concealed by a cascade of fruit and glycerin. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. Tel. (805) 649-1674