2005 Whetstone Syrah Guidici Family Vineyard

(bottled in February; the pinots were bottled last September) Deep ruby. Knockout nose combines deep minerality, smoked meat, bacon fat, violet and white pepper; very Northern Rhone in style. Then sweet, brisk and penetrating, with spicy, peppery lift to the powerful blackberry and violet flavors. The firm acids are perfectly integrated and the finish is peppery, gripping and long. This has a lower pH, and lower alcohol, than the 2004 and seems constructed to reveal greater nuance with time in bottle. Happily, Whetstone aged the wine in just 25% new oak.