The 2007 Payen is a cuvee of 100% Syrah selected from a 3 hectare parcel and made with 30% whole clusters. It was aged for 20 months in new French oak. Smoke black olives brier mineral and assorted black fruits lead to a wine with excellent natural acidity outstanding density and richness and terrific complexity. This exceptionally lengthy offering will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring and offers a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2022. It ranks with finest Syrahs I have tasted from South America. - Jay Miller

Ripe and juicy with lots of raspberry blackberry and plum fruit woven with sweet spice and fruitcake notes. A touch firm on the toasty finish but the buried iron note is there so cellar this a touch to let it round into form. Syrah. Drink now through 2012. -JM