PASO ROBLES | CALIFORNIA | $42
Silky black cherry and cassis with cardamom, bay and chalk deliver a wine of richness and depth. Shows both the gloss of Syrah and the texture of Bordeaux grapes, nicely balanced. Slightly fruit forward with pleasant fruit-and-soil interplay. Surprisingly low — by Paso Robles standards — 13.9% alcohol. This performer knows the music and misses not a note. Let the passion shine, and we’ll have a star. 58% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot. A very good wine. (Reviewed 3/23/12)
