2020 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Que Syrah

The 2020 Syrah Que Syrah Vineyard, from Nathan Roberts' home vineyard near Occidental, was picked very late for the year, on November 1. It offers up a beguiling mix of bacon fat, licorice, game, scorched earth, cracked pepper, grilled herbs and black fruit. The Que Syrah has a very strong, assertive profile loaded with the smokier, gamy qualities that are typical of Syrah, especially cool climate Syrah. I did not pick up any taint, but there is no question this is a wine with a very strong aromatic and flavor profile that may not be everyone's cup of tea.