One whiff of the powerful hickory smoke and menthol announces that this was given full oak treatment. Some herbacious notes mix on the tongue with plum, tomato and creamy vanilla. It's fairly soft in feel but not in flavor, especially on the finish, where espresso-like coffee comes on full force.

Matchstick and tar start this Syrah off. Then tart, mixed-berry flavors appear on the palate- they're pleasantly juicy, just lacking a little depth. The finish is smoky and peppery.

Strong caramel, butter and brown sugar aromas. Flavors of vanilla, licorice and tree bark come ahead of some sturdy plum fruit. The finish is arguably a bit hot and woody.

Impeccably balanced, ripe, rich and concentrated, tightly wound and jam packed with rich earthy currant, coffee, mineral and blackberry flavors. Tightens up on the finish, where the tannins bite and don't let go. Best from 2004 through 2012.

Supple textured, with a mix of creamy mocha, earth, mineral, and currant flavors and a touch of rustic earthiness. Complex and concentrated, with a twinge of vegetal herbaceousness and gritty tannins.

Round with a supple texture to black currant, earth, herb and black cherry flavors framed by modest tannin and toasty oak.

Ripe cherry and Blackberry aromas, creamy texture, great fruit, balanced acidity and tannins, lingering finish.

Ripe raspberry and smoked bacon aroma, forward berry flavors, refined tannins, long, balanced finish.

Black currant and cranberry nose, richly textured flavors, tobacco notes, sweet fruit finish

Very deep color; lovely black cherry aroma; layered fruit, silky and sensuous; long balanced finish.

Well-balanced, with delicate dried cherry, anise and herb flavors that are concentrated and complex, finishing with a chocolate and light oak aftertaste. Drink now through 2006.

A real mouthful, with rich, plush, chocolaty plum and blackberry fruit that's complex and concentrated, picking up herb, mocha, black cherry nuances. Shows a trace of heat on the finish, but also a gush of rich fruit flavors.

Dark, rich, ripe and complex, with plum, black cherry, wild berry and roasted coffee flavors. Plenty of heat on the finish.

Lots of toasty, smoky, creamy oak around fig, apricot and baked apple pie flavors, giving the wine extra dimensions.

Complex, concentrated and well-structured, with a mix of ripe cherry, raspberry and blackberry. Firm, supple tannins and excellent length. Has more backbone and depth than most from this vintage. Drink now through 2007.

Intense and concentrated, with rich, lively layers of spice, black cherry, blackberry and creamy, toasty oak. Shows a firmness from tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2006.

Aims for complexity, with toasty oak wrapped around a core of delicate plum and black cherry. Finish shows oak having a slight upper hand. Drink now through 2005.

A spicy, minty style, with a tasty core of plum and currant-laced fruit. A nice dash of oak and firm tannins.

...medium-bodied and nicely balanced, with nuances of peach and pear and a crisp, long finish, a good any-occasion chardonnay.

Le nez est épicé, avec de la réglisse, du fruit noir. La bouche a du volume, une bonne concentration et des tannins arrondis … Finit poivré sur des notes fumées. (Spicy aromas with licorice & black berry notes. The mouth shows great volume and concentration with soft round tannins. Spice and smoke on the finish.)