SANTA YNEZ VALLEY | CALIFORNIA | $40
Concentrated cherry with dried cranberry and wild berries backed by dry earth and cardamom. Notes of red beet, anise and pepper bring interest. Focused and fruit forward, but vertically complex with a laden mouth feel, drying tannins and a potent 15.2% alcohol. 50% Syrah, 50% Sangiovise: “The Cross,” they call it, and Parker blessed it with a 94. That’s his to bear; I say it’s a very good wine. (Reviewed 9/1/12)
