This timber-lined Syrah vineyard is perched high above the Russian River just beyond the town of Forestville, on the steep southeastern slope of Black Mountain.

The spiciness of this cool vintage is expressed in the nose, with lots of white pepper, black olive, grilled meat, candied violet, maple syrup, blackberry and black plum aromas. There’s gorgeous purity of fruit, offering a range of ripe, sappy core of blackberry and black plum fruit anchors the showy nose, which also exhibits violets, black trumpet mushrooms, roasted chestnuts and smoked pork belly.

The prodigious midpalate hides fruit and minerals behind a wall of chewy tannins, but they emerge again with high toned violet, white pepper and sage on the long, supple finish.

Drink through at least 2014.

This is a great Syrah from winemaker Eric Sussman. This is truly one of my favorite Syrahs and I highly recommend it.

93 rating from Robert Parker.

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