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2005 Vintage

94  The International Wine Review June 2008
While perhaps more widely recognized for his outstanding Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, David Ramey also produces first-class Syrah. His 2005 Sonoma Coast boasts an opaque purple ruby color and Rhone-like scents of red and black fruit, licorice and black/white pepper. On the palate, the wine is beautifully sculpted and balanced with flavors of mulberry, blackberry and chocolate, ripe round tannins and a long lasting finish. An exciting wine.

91  Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/June
Deep ruby. Pungently aromatic, with textbook syrah aromas of cassis, smoky bacon, graphite, violet and olive. Full and deep in dark berry flavors but there's impressive energy, too. Spice notes build on the finish, adding even greater complexity. This is livelier than the 2004 version.

93  Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate 12-22-06
Ramey’s top-notch Syrahs include the deep purple-hued 2005 Syrah Sonoma Coast, which offers notes of camphor, tapenade, blackberries, and currants. Medium to full-bodied with an incredibly long finish, it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 7-10 years.

2004 Vintage

90  Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate 12-22-06
David Ramey has started to make some very impressive Syrahs although admittedly they are very limited in production. There are less than 200 cases of the 2004 Syrah which is showing better than last year. Meaty, blackberry, and cassis notes interwoven with some smoke and underbrush arise from this inky purple-colored wine. It is peppery, full-bodied, with hints of tapenade and spice. It is very French, but the ripeness is clearly Californian. This wine should drink well for 7-8 years.