Aptly named, this wine resembles a Syrah from France’s Rhône Valley or Languedoc region. It’s earthy, leathery, deep and satisfying. The wine does lack fresh fruit flavors to act as a counterpoint to all these rustic notes, but it nonetheless provides very satisfying drinking. My guess is that it won’t age all that gracefully. But for drinking in the near term with hearty, meaty fare — barbecued ribs, for example, or Texas-style brisket — it is a super choice.
Bonny Doon Vineyard, Central Coast (California) Syrah 2013
By Paul Lukacs