The 2008 Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard was made with 40% whole clusters. Smoked meat, game, lavender, and blueberry aromas titillate the nose leading to an already complex, smooth-textured, succulent wine that will deliver pleasure now through 2018. There are 800 cases of this nicely priced wine.

Loaded with spice and mint, angular and focused, this extraordinary offering has a core of strikingly deep raspberry fruit. Around that core resonates a shell of minty herb, further defined by sharp tannins with an aromatic sandalwood component. As it breathes in the glass, it opens up further with cured, smoked meat flavors.

Polished, velvety, fresh and appealing for its black olive and roasted tomato nuances around a core of plum and berry fruit. Shows some style. Drink now through 2014. 830 cases made.