Made by Charles Smith for Precept’s Magnificent Wine Company line, this sports the black and white, block letter label familiar to fans of House Wine. Bursting with fresh, tart, tasty berry fruit flavors, this effusive wine is front-loaded with flavor. It tails off gracefully, adding suggestions of pepper and earth and raw steak, before finishing with a crisp lick of raspberry.——P.G.(7/1/2011)—— 89

Syrah is winemaker Charles Smith’s strongest suit, so it’s not surprising that this is the best of The Orginals, his Magnificent Wine Company project. Fruit and spice are amped up equally, with whiffs of pepper and cut grass. It lingers in the throat with just a hint of alcohol.——P.G.(8/1/2010)—— 89