Peay Vineyards 'Estate La Bruma' Syrah

94 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Bright ruby. Heady, exotically perfumed bouquet of blackberry, cherry-cola, licorice and incense, with a note of violet in the background. Sweet, ripe, silky and expansive, with a nervy spine of acidity providing focus to the sweet red and dark berry compote flavors. Sexy and approachable already but this seamless, very long Syrah has the depth to age.

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2009 Syrah La Bruma Estate is a fabulous, totally intriguing wine loaded with varietal character and nuance. Black pepper, blackberries, spices, mint and graphite are some of the many notes that flow from this intensely perfumed, layered Syrah. This is a fabulous, cold-weather Syrah from Peay. I especially like the energy of the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.

Peay's estate La Bruma Vineyard is one of the coolest sites in California growing Syrah. This translates to a style of Syrah more reminiscent in aroma and flavor to those produced in France's Rhone valley--bright wines with classic Syrah lavender and white pepper highlights. Fans of Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, or Saint Joseph take note. From the winery: "All of our 2009 wines are fairly open in their youth and show the fruit, exuberance and promise of a knobby kneed, loose elbowed, teenager. The 2009 La Bruma Estate Syrah hints that this teenager will evolve into a mature, complex lad who will turn heads and demand attention. The aromas in the nose include huckleberry, orange, plum and acai berry. La Bruma is always the more floral Syrah and shows the classic hi-toned lilac and antique rose scents. Underlying the top fruit and floral notes lie spiced beef, blood, caramel and spicy cinnamon and licorice notes. The mouth is not as exuberant as the nose and emphasizes flavors of blood, lead and flint like a good steak tartare. It is medium bodied with a sharp and focused attack that carries all the way to the back of the palate finishing with great length and crisp acidity. Age for at least 5 years and enjoy for the next 1-2 decades."