Adam Tolmach is discontinuing his Vin du Soleil program, which is a shame, but the market demands varietal-named wines. The last vintage, 2003, will be a 100% Grenache. The 2002 Vin du Soleil is California’s savory answer to a top-class French Cotes du Rhone. A blend of 56% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache, and 19% Syrah, it reveals peppery, spicy, earthy notes intermixed with cherries, black currants, and raspberries. With firm tannin and a peppery component, it will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 2-3 years. I was not able to taste through the full line-up of Ojai’s 2004 Syrahs, but I did see barrel samples of the Bien Nacido, Thompson Vineyard, White Hawk Vineyard, and Roll Ranch. They all appear to be sensational Syrahs with distinctive extroverted aromatic profiles and concentrated palates. It should be another highly successful vintage for Adam Tolmach, who has not missed a beat since he began making Syrah at the Ojai Vineyard in 1983.Tel. (805) 649-1674

For the record, my favorite Vin du Soleil so far is the 2000 red. Made from 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, it is a beautiful example of a southern Rhone blend made in California. It should drink well for 4-5 years. Tel. (805) 649-1674