2013 Efeste Syrah Ceidleigh

(14.8% alcohol; the first vintage of this wine to come mostly from EFESTÉ's new Angela estate vineyard, made without stems in a mixture of barriques and puncheons, 30% new, and bottled after 15 months of élevage ): Medium ruby. Sexy nose melds black raspberry, smoked meat, animal fur and brown spices. Quite silky on entry, then builds and expands toward the back, offering ripe flavors of black fruits, tar, duck blood and scorched earth complicated by a saline quality and enlivened by mouthwatering acidity. Finishes with a firmly tannic, masculine structure and excellent length. Very poised, balanced Syrah, and a good value for this quality.