Big and brooding on the nose, with blackberry, violet, coffee and mineral aromas. The palate is smooth, rich and silky, with sweet, pure, jammy black fruit flavors and a pinch of chocolaty bitterness for balance. Finishes warm and minty, with an added dusting of cocoa. Big and bold more than complex or elegant.——M.S.(5/1/2011)—— 90

Floral and big, with large-scale plum and berry aromas. The palate is grand and thick, with creamy vanilla flavors adding sweetness and width to meaty berry and plum flavors. Nothing out of the ordinary here; just lots of well-applied oak, serious fruit and body. Thoroughly modern red wine.——M.S.(12/1/2009)—— 90

A big, woody, totally modern style of Syrah. There is a lot more coconut, mocha and big berry fruit than anything you might find from France. It’s dark and layered on the palate, with coconut and resin supporting black fruit. Finishes smoky and oaky, but structured, tannic and serious enough to impress. ——M.S.(2/1/2009)—— 88