Larger scaled and even richer, yet still playing in the cool-climate spectrum, the 2009 Ramey Syrah Rodgers Creek Vineyard (92% Syrah and 8% co-fermented Viognier, aged 27 months in 91% new French oak) offers up knockout aromatics of blackberry, salted meats, wild herbs, and pepper on the nose. This is followed by a full-bodied, classically styled and structured Syrah that possesses a concentrated, yet elegant feel, integrated acidity, and blockbuster length on the finish. Certainly a superb drink now given the purity and texture, it will be even better in 2-4 years, and have 15+ years of total longevity. It’s easily one of the top Syrahs coming out of northern California today and worth the effort to track down.