A magical, profound wine from one of the greats, the 2002 Syrah Heart Chorea was only the second extended barrel-aged Syrah from this estate at the time. The fruit at this point was still coming from multiple sources, and this is primarily from the Alban and White Hawk vineyard. The Alban component is front and center, and this still vivid ruby color effort has a huge bouquet of blackberries, iodine, black olives, spring flowers, and exotic spice. It’s thrillingly concentrated yet at the same time seamless, pure, and elegant, with a blockbuster finish. It’s one of those awesome wines that delivers incredible intensity and richness yet never seems heavy or over the top. This is a reference point Syrah for California. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to find in the market. (There were just 100 cases made).

SQN’s Syrahs are dynamite. In 2001, Krankl began to experiment with a limited production Syrah aged over 40 months in new oak (a la Marcel Guigal’s famous Cote Roties - La Mouline, La Landonne, and La Turque). The second rendition of this cuvee, the 2002 Heart Chorea, is a Cote Rotie-like blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. Most of the fruit comes from the Alban and White Hawk vineyards. The opaque purple-colored 2002 Heart Chorea possesses extraordinary levels of concentration, intensity, and subtle nuances, a fabulous nose of charcoal, acacia flowers, creme de cassis, blackberries, pain grille, and espresso roast. Opulent, full-bodied, and super-intense, but neither heavy nor out of balance, it is unfortunate that production of this unreal Syrah is less than 100 cases.- RP