A compelling and impeccably structured red that serves up expressive flavors of blueberry and raspberry accented by crushed stone, garrigue and tapenade tones as this builds tension and personality on the finish. Drink...

Composed of 100% Syrah aged in large-format barrels, the 2022 Clos du Lican embodies the sleek and glossy style of Clos Apalta and applies it to Syrah, resulting in an opulent wine with intense concentration and power...

Glass-staining ruby. Hugely perfumed, mineral-accented black and blue fruit preserves, floral oil, olive paste, pipe tobacco and exotic spice aromas show superb clarity and pick up a hint of smokiness with air. Juicy and...

Just a step behind the La Chapelle this vintage, the 2020 Hermitage La Maison Bleue expresses the non-granitic side of Hermitage, in its opulent fruit and early accessibility. Ripe cherries and raspberries dominate the...

A dynamic Syrah that’s loaded with personality and substance, offering lilting accents of bacon fat, black raspberry, garrigue and black olive while building richness and tension on the finish. Drink now through 2035. - TF

Sleek and polished, this Syrah has multilayered raspberry and plum flavors highlighted by baking spices, savory meat and pepper. Concludes with refined tannins. Drink now through 2030. - TF

A racy nose of black fruits, smoke, wet earth and violets. Medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity. It has tension and balance with plenty of blueberries on the palate and a supple finish. Drink or hold.

Pure cassis, blue fruits, new leather, graphite, and hints of bouquet garni define the aromatics of the 2022 Cornas, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, an ultra-fine, pure, seamless mouthfeel...

As with almost all of the Syrahs here, the 2020 Syrah The Deal was not destemmed, saw an extended maceration, and spent 18 months in 40% new French puncheons. Deep ruby/purple-hued, it has an incredibly floral perfume of...

From the Soberanes Vineyard, the 2022 Syrah The Initiation was matured for 15 months in 75% new French oak. It has savory, sanguine aromas of bacon fat, woodsmoke and iron over pure blackcurrant fruit. The full-bodied...

Opaque ruby-red. A highly perfumed and expansive bouquet evokes dark berry and cherry preserves, Indian spices, olive and incense; a smoky mineral nuance emerges as the wine opens up. Fleshy and broad on the palate but...

A firm yet enticing expression with a captivating blend of black cherry, crème de menthe, violets, and black olives. Fresh and vibrant, the palate is silky, with well-integrated tannins and a whisper of clove on the...

Textural intrigue seduces in this muscular and meaty red, with a well of black currant and plum, plus plenty of smoky depth. Chalky in feel, with black pepper and lavender details, including bitter plum pit at the end...

Savory and zesty, with a sinewy core of tannins framed by blackberry, espresso, licorice and smoked beef flavors that build density and tension on the finish. Best from 2026 through 2035. - TF

Robust yet brooding, this Syrah serves up deep blackberry, stony mineral, licorice and black olive accents that gather tension toward broad-shouldered tannins. Drink now through 2030. 390 cases made.

Deep, glistening violet color. Pungent, mineral-laced dark berry and cherry aromas are complemented by suggestions of licorice, smoked meat and exotic spices. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering juicy blackberry...

(97+ points) From a great terroir in the northern part of Côte Rôtie, the 2020 Côte Rôtie Vallière is another perfumed, mineral-laced 2020, offering a beautiful nose of darker raspberries, camphor, violets, woodsmoke, and...

(94+ points) The 2020 Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos is tighter and more focused, with a more blue-fruited perfume of cassis, graphite, violets, and peppered meat-like aromas and flavors. The polar opposite of the broad, ripe...

This 100% Syrah opens with black-skinned berry, cedar and green peppercorn aromas. On the concentrated palate, fine-grained tannins support ripe black currant, tobacco and licorice. Drink through 2026. KERIN O’KEEFE

Based on 100% Syrah fermented with 100% whole clusters and brought up in neutral oak, the 2022 Syrah Donna's Block is slightly deeper ruby/plum in hue and offers up blackberries, pepper, bouquet garni, orange blossom, and...

A blend from vineyards throughout the region, this is classical in its structure, concentrated in the low yields of 2019. The dry season and summer heat may be present in the wine’s potent tannins, serving to complete the...

Elegant, refined style of aromas, with raspberry and a touch of wild herbs. A well balanced and elegant style, with proper depth and length. It’s drinking well already, and will improve, but is very suited for drinking...

A fresh, pure and vibrant style, with abundant flavors of just-ripe plum and smoked cherry, bolstered by snappy, pepper-edged acidity and highlighted by beautiful violet notes. Shows a supple palate, with savory acidity...

Perfumed and appealing, with pretty violet, hibiscus, fresh plum and red currant notes that turn supple and mouthfilling on the palate. A harmonious wine, with singed alder and oak spice sweetness in perfect balance. The...

(94+ points) Showing consistently, and certainly giving some perspective with regards to the 2021, the 2020 Saint Joseph is gorgeously rich and textured, medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe black fruits...

Very enticing, showing a plump core of dark currant and blackberry preserve flavors, with ganache, anise and savory hints providing nice contrast from start to finish. Nice streamlined finish. Drink now through 2030...

Brooding and deeply structured, yet retains a sense of finesse, offering blackberry and blueberry flavors framed by smoked meat, licorice and cracked pepper. Best from 2024 through 2031. —T.F.

Smoky and meaty character here with plums and dark cherries as well as sweet spices and bark. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine, polished tannins. Spicy and dark-fruited. Broad-shouldered and even on the palate with a...