Cali Syrah to Knock Your Socks Off

      Back in the late 60's, a few California winemakers decided to do something different, something big. What with all these wineries trying to create the perfect Cabernets and Chardonnays, they thought, "There must be some other grapes that would flourish in the misty hills and warming stretches of this great state." And so began the legend of the Rhone Rangers. Brave men and women who planted varieties like Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, Roussane, Mourvedre in the far reaches of the state. These are their wines.

2010 Lucia Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands Susan's Hill Vineyard
On Sale $37.99
"Another stunning example of this Syrah that will certainly stand toe to toe with the ’05, ’07, ’08, and ’09, the 2010 Lucia Syrah Susan's Hill has a incredible liquid mineral/damp earth quality to go with pure blackberry, cassis, wood smoke, wild herbs, and pepper on the nose. Full-bodied, rich, and powerful, yet with a deft, clean feel and chewy tannin on the finish, this beauty shines with an hour in the decanter (even better on the second day), and will continue to impress for over a decade."
95 Points, the Rhone Report

2010 Lucia Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands Gary's Vineyard
On Sale $37.99
"Slightly more gamey and wild, with notions of smoked black fruits, sage, bacon fat, pepper, and olive, the 2010 Lucia Syrah Garys' Vineyard is a seriously concentrated, full-bodied effort that has thrilling richness, gorgeous purity, and an elegant, perfectly proportioned profile that has nothing out of place. More supple and approachable than the Susan’s Hill, with a touch less tannin, it nevertheless will have at least 8-10 years of prime drinking, possibly more. It is almost impossible to pick a favorite between these two Syrahs and both represent some of the top Syrahs coming out of California today!"
95 Points, the Rhone Report
2009 Samsara Syrah Santa Rita Hills Melville Vineyard
On Sale $36.99
"A dazzling wine, the 2009 Syrah Melville bursts from the glass with black cherries, pepper, mint, violets and spices. It possesses striking varietal nuance and tons of character in an exuberant, flashy style I find highly appealing. Waves of fruit saturate the palate on a rich, creamy finish buffered by cooling veins of minerality. This is a wonderfully complete, harmonious wine from Samsara. The Melville is 100% Syrah, Estrella clone, fermented with 50% whole clusters and aged in French oak barrels, 25% new. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2019."
94+ Points, the Wine Advocate

2010 Carlisle Syrah Russian River "Papa's Block"
On Sale $43.99
The 2010 Syrah Papa's Block wraps around the palate with plums, black cherries, spices, mint, tobacco and sweet wild herbs. There is plenty of varietal character in the glass. I especially admire the interplay of minerality and fruit in this beautifully balanced Syrah. The Papa's Block was made with 33% whole clusters. It saw 20 days on the skins and was aged in French oak barrels, 26% new. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021."
91-93 Points, the Wine Advocate

2010 Carlisle Syrah Sonoma Bennett Valley On Sale $36.99
"Inky ruby.  An explosively perfumed bouquet evokes dark berry preserves, black tea, licorice and smoky Indian spices.  Lush, palate-staining black and blue fruit flavors show noteworthy intensity and focus and pick up a floral pastille nuance with air.  Finishes broad and sweet, leaving smoke and licorice notes behind."
92 points, Stephen Tanzer

2008 Ojai Syrah Santa Barbara Roll Ranch Vineyard
On Sale $35.99
"the 2008 Syrah Roll Ranch fleshes out beautifully on the mid-palate. All the elements are in symmetry. This is a more radiant, ripe style of Syrah within the Ojai portfolio. The wine’s textural finesse compensates for a bouquet that is not especially varietal, at least today. The Roll Ranch stands apart from the rest of their Syrahs. It emerges from a warmer, earlier ripening site that is typically harvested in early September, a good month (or more) earlier than the rest of the Syrahs. The 2008 was co-fermented with 2% Viognier. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023."
93 Points, the Wine Advocate