The 2019 Syrah Estate has 2% Viognier co-fermented and underwent 18% whole-cluster fermentation. Dark currants, coffee grounds and violets all fill the nose, along with herbal undertones. The densely concentrated palate shows great finesse and layers of black and blue fruits with tar and black licorice tones. This is up there with the finest Syrah of Red Mountain. -- Owen Bargreen

95+ The 2019 Syrah Red Mountain gives up a more earthy, darker, red and black-fruited style as well as textbook Syrah notes of new leather, ground pepper, chalky mineral, and subtle bacon fat nuances. As with many top Red Mountain releases, it has an incredible sense of minerality, especially with time in the glass. Full-bodied, concentrated, and structured, it deserves 4-5 years of bottle age if you can and will see its 20th birthday in fine form.

The aromas bring notes of fractured basalt, red and black fruit, moist earth, fresh herb and spice. Pillowy soft, textured, ripe, intense dark-fruit flavors follow. A long, lingering, fruit-filled finish caps it off. The appeal is as much about feel as flavor. It's a wild ride. SEAN P. SULLIVAN