2006 Sine Qua Non Syrah Raven Santa Ynez Valley

A brilliant Syrah, the 2006 Sine Qua Non Syrah Raven Series benefits greatly from a decant and boast awesome aromatics of smoked meats, bacon fat, sage, and pepper that are balanced by a deep, pure core of black berry and raspberry fruit. Full-bodied on the palate, with a substantial, yet seamless, elegant texture, gorgeous integration, and no shortage of length on the finish, this youthful red showed even better on the second day where it gained a ever so slight northern Rhone similarity. This beauty should continue to drink fantastically for another 12-15 years. Review Date: February 2011

The 2006 Raven Series Syrah, a blend of 93% Syrah, 5% Grenache, and 2% Viognier that spends just under two years in French oak. Offering a dense purple color, gorgeous fruit, and a sweet perfume of graphite, blackberries, blueberries, charcoal, licorice, tar, and new oak, it is a dense, full-bodied, well-endowed, beautifully layered, pure Syrah that should drink well for 10-15 years. (RP) Review Date: August 2009