97 Points | International Wine Cellar , May/June 2012

Good full ruby.  Wild, exotic aromas of black cherry, blueberry, smoked meat, truffle, black olive and violet; if the 2010 smells like Hermitage, this is more Cote-Rotie.  Harmonious, pliant and suave, showing captivating floral lift to its flavors of black cherry, blueberry and white pepper.  Less muscular than the 2010 version and easier to enjoy today.  The rising, sappy, subtly complex finish features firm but utterly silky tannins.  Last year I suggested that this essence of syrah had the best nose of any wine I tasted on my late-winter tour.  I'm happy to report that it's at least as impressive--and flamboyant--in the bottle.  A great California syrah in a northern Rhone style.

97 Points | Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate