This is the first year we have produced a syrah from the wonderful vineyard at Big River Ranch in Alexander Valley. The tiny black berries gave the wine a beautiful deep purple hue, and we were delighted to discover the intense aromas of blackberries, toasted nuts, chocolate and dried fruit that characterize a classic syrah. In the mouth, the wine is absolutely lovely with flavors of cassis, blackberry, expresso coffee and chocolate. We expect this syrah to gain in complexity and intensity through 2009.