($85) Full ruby-red. Subdued but pure aromas of black fruits and licorice. Sweet, dense and primary, with nicely integrated acids giving power to the black raspberry fruit. Still a bit grapey and unevolved, but sweet and pliant. The mounting finish features substantial tannins that will require at least a couple years of bottle aging.

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The 2003 Syrah Eddie's Patch is performing tremendously well. Its opaque black/purple color is accompanied by a huge nose of white chocolate, pepper, acacia flowers, scorched earth, and blackberries. The wine possesses copious fruit, an unctuous texture, and a huge, full-bodied, blockbuster finish. It was aged 15 months in 40% new French oak prior to bottling. Kudos to DuMol, one of the brilliant shining stars of the North Coast Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah sweepstakes. In the past four years, this has become one of my favorite stops on my tasting trip through California's North Coast. One can't say enough about owner Kerry Murphy and his talented winemaker, Scotsman Andy Smith. Together they have produced a bevy of extraordinary Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, and recently added some full-throttle Syrahs to the portfolio.

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Intense and concentrated, with a firm band of tannins wrapped around a tight core of spice, pepper, wild berry and cedary oak flavors. The tannins take on a dry, chalky edge on the finish. Needs decanting. 379 cases made.

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This is definitely a case where the flight pairing hurt this wine a tad (it was served next to the Colgin) as it was certainly as expressive as the Colgin, but seemed a bit clumsier in comparison. The wine screams out its fig, melted asphalt, bittersweet chocolate and blueberry flavors from a loudspeaker, and is loaded w/ a huge mouthfeel, layered in sweet, tantalizing fruit. The ?03 Eddie?s Patch is an undoubtedly powerful, loaded effort that just seems to lack a bit of the poise and structure of the Colgin.