2013 Broken Stones Syrah

Dark purple. A heady, highly complex bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, cherry liqueur and sandalwood, while smoky mineral and Indian spice accents build in the glass. Seamless and strikingly concentrated, offering surprisingly lithe blueberry, cassis and violet pastille flavors that become spicier and sweeter with air. At once lush and elegant; finishes extremely long and sappy, delivering repeating blueberry and floral notes and velvety tannins.

Glass-staining purple. Smoky, high-pitched aromas of cherry, raspberry and flowers pick up spice and mocha qualities with aeration. Densely packed red fruit preserve and violet pastille flavors are lifted and sharpened by juicy acidity and a blast of white pepper. This very lively wine finishes with outstanding focus and smooth tannins. Shows the vivacity that was possible in this vintage to very good effect.

Incorporating more Petite Sirah than normal, and the first time there's been less than 50% Syrah, the 2013 Syrah Broken Stones is made from 48% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah, 17% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre the rest Tempranillo and Roussanne. Its deep, inky color is followed by a structured, seriously mineral-laced and full-bodied red that offers lots of fruit (cassis, black cherries and raspberries), smoked earth and chocolate aromas and flavors. The tannin is front and center, yet they're beautifully ripe and polished. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy through 2028