This flavorful, herbal Syrah spends its time in one-year-old oak; the reserve is made in 100% new oak. It is a pure, distinctive, cool-climate Syrah with a strong, dark, spicy, gamy streak of pungent flavor. It smells and tastes like ripe, almost raisined grapes, hung meat, boysenberry syrup, smoke, tar and coffee, all infused with wild herbs. Pay attention to the finish; that’s where it really shines, as it slides through spice, earth, herb and, ultimately, into chocolate.——P.G.(11/1/2008)—— 90