Dierberg follows up its outstanding 2009 offering with another splendid Syrah that hits one high point after the other. It is rife with deep and exceptionally well-defined fruit, and its insistent themes of blackberries, spice and cured meats do not ease up even as a fair bit of grippy young tannin takes hold. It is ripe but eschews jamminess and shows very good structure and balance for the solid, rather gutsy wine that it is. While sure to impress in the short term, it is not meant for hasty drinking, and it can be held for eight to ten years before reaching what is certain to be its considerable best.

Inky colored and thrillingly concentrated, yet staying light and graceful on the palate, the 2010 Syrah boasts fantastic aromas and flavors of spice-drenched black raspberries, licorice, roasted meats, chocolate and ground herbs to go with a rich, concentrated and structured palate feel. Still tasting like a barrel sample, this serious Syrah needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will knock your socks off through 2020! Drink 2015-2020+. - Jeb Dunnuck