1995 Syrah Eisele Vineyard

The spectacular 1995 Syrah Eisele Vineyard is one of the greatest New World Syrahs I have ever tasted. Approximately 300 cases were made, and it is even better out of bottle than it was in barrel. The color is an opaque purple. The bouquet offers explosive notes of wood fire, licorice, jammy blackberries and cassis, in addition to the unmistakable scent of black truffles/licorice. Full-bodied and rich, with sensational flavor extraction, remarkable harmony, and a 35+-second finish, this is profoundly great Syrah. While it is approachable, it will not reach full maturity for another 7-8 years; it will keep for 3 decades. Wow! Dec 1998, www.robertparker.com

Fresh, saturated ruby. Cassis, violet and spicy oak on the nose. Terrific intensity of flavor and lush texture, but rather tightly knit today; flavor of crushed dark berries. Finishes long and spicy, but this syrah cannot yet match the Eisele cabernets for sheer persistence. I'd give this one a couple years of bottle aging before pulling the cork.