2008 Colgin Cellars, IX Estate Syrah, Napa Valley, Bottle (750ml)

RP94 "Interesting French-like Syrahs are also made from the estate's steep hillside vineyards. The 2008 IX Syrah Estate is performing even better than it did last year from barrel. Juicy bacon fat, roasted meat, grilled herb and smoky notes are classic northern Rhone Syrah characteristics. A floral component suggests some Viognier could be co-fermented, but this is 100% Syrah. The wood is well-concealed in this full-bodied, delicious wine. It is capable of a decade or more of cellaring.

VM94 Saturated dark ruby! Brooding black fruits, black olive, lavender and flinty, smoky minerality on the nose. Dense, superconcentrated, rather wild flavors of saline olive tapenade, dark berries and smoked meat. Displays superb thickness and chewy depth but still needs time to gain in complexity and open. The tannins are dusty but not dry, and the finish is very long and spicy.