This is a blend of 59% Syrah, 23% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache and 3% Viognier coming from California's Central Coast. The EABA means it got extra barrel ageing than their regular release wines. In fact, it saw 22 months in French Oak (50% new). Typically, extended ageing wines seem to need more time in bottle to come around as well. This one does. That said, it is a ripe, delicious, hedonistic wine right now. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose needs some air, then shows black raspberries, blueberries, plums and black cherries along with spice, roasted meats, slight floral notes and black pepper. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, loads of fruits with the Syrah dominating at the moment. Great energy. Long finish. This could use another three to five years of cellaring and should drink well for another fifteen to twenty after that. Great on its own, this will need some time to work with food. For now, big, meaty dishes would be the best choice. It will improve with time.
