2000 In Flagrante Syrah

The 2000 In Flagrante (a 725-case blend of 86% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 4% Viognier) is a world-class, provocative effort. It reveals many of the same aromatic and flavor components found in the 2001 Midnight Oil and 2002 Syrah-dominated, unnamed offering. A black color is followed by a seamless effort loaded with blackberry, honey, and flower aromas, and an extraordinarily long, concentrated finish. As with all great wines, tasting notes/descriptors just can’t do it justice. Among the recent SQN Syrahs, it is a strikingly elegant and powerful wine that has a decidedly French flair to it. Tel. (805) 649-8901

(14.9% alcohol; a blend of 88% syrah, 10% grenache and 2% viognier) Vivid, deep ruby-red. Knockout nose combines roasted cherry, gunflint, smoked meat and mint. Fat, sweet and lush, with compelling concentration and sweetness of fruit. As pliant and generous as this is, it's also vibrant and firm. Finishes extremely long and ripely tannic, with superb lingering sweetness. A great California syrah, with very subtle oakiness for a red from this producer.

The 2000 In Flagrante (a 725-case blend of 86% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 4% Viognier) is a world-class, provocative effort. It reveals many of the same aromatic and flavor components found in the 2001 Midnight Oil and 2002 Syrah-dominated, unnamed offering. A black color is followed by a seamless effort loaded with blackberry, honey, and flower aromas, and an extraordinarily long, concentrated finish. As with all great wines, tasting notes/descriptors just can’t do it justice. Among the recent SQN Syrahs, it is a strikingly elegant and powerful wine that has a decidedly French flair to it. Aug 2003, www.robertparker.com