2009 Nicholas Allen Carte Blanche Syrah Three Peaks

(from the same vineyard as winemaker Luc Morlet's own Bouquet Garni bottling; blended with 8% grenache): Full red-ruby. Perfumed nose combines blueberry, blackberry, spicy black pepper and crushed rock. Juicy and classically dry, with a penetrating saline quality to the black fruit and spice flavors. A hint of strawberry from the grenache perfumes the lingering aftertaste. Finishes with broad, serious, chewy tannins. Very good syrah, not a bit over the top.