2006 Radio-Coteau Syrah Las Colinas

In contrast, the 2006 Syrah Las Colinas is a fuller-bodied, denser Syrah with more roasted meat, bouquet garni, charcoal, and blackberry fruit, a superb texture, and a long, heady, rich mouthfeel with stunning length. It is close to being a blockbuster Syrah to drink in its first 7-8 years of life. Radio-Coteau is another great success story, with proprietor Eric Sussman producing small-lot, handcrafted wines. Everything is fermented naturally, there are no enzymes, acidulations, very low SO2 is utilized, and the wines are bottled in-house, with neither fining nor filtration. This is always an exciting line-up of wines that remain fairly priced. While I always think of Sussman as a master with his red wine varietals, such as Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel, he certainly impressed me with his two vintages of Chardonnay from the very cool-climate Savoy Vineyard of Anderson Valley. Tel. (707) 887-8335; Fax (801) 340-6041