2011 Syrah Russian River Valley

(13.9% alcohol; just a bit of whole clusters used here): Bright violet-ruby color. Aromas of blackberry, violet and black pepper. Juicy, sweet and intense but a bit clenched today, in a distinctly cooler style. Dark berry flavors are accented by a peppery quality and given grip by dusty tannins. This will go meaty and tarry with five years in the cellar but will it truly blossom in the bottle? "There isn't a huge blast of California fruit in the 2011 syrahs," observes Smith.