2003 Ojai Vineyards "Bien Nacido Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Syrah

92 points Wine Spectator: "Dark-hued, intense and spicy, with rich layers of wild berry, sage and herb, picking up a hint of chocolate and espresso bean on the finish, where the tannins are rich and tight. Drink now through 2011." (02/07) 92 points Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines: "This deep, wonderfully well-extracted Syrah vies with its sibling from the Melville Vineyards for highest honors within the Ojai clan. No less rich than the latter, but a bit fruiter and a little less spicy in character, it delivers a wealth of oak-enriched, black-berry fruit with highlights of violets, pepper and chocolate. While it is very full-bodied, it is also exceptionally well-balanced, and its finishing toughness is not out of bounds given its age. As rich and outgoing as it may be at the moment, this one is very much meant for the cellar, and, while three or four years would seem the minimum wait, it could well improve for considerably longer." (07/07) 92 points Wine Enthusiast: "At four-plus years of age, this single-vineyard Syrah still has babyfat flavors of blackberry jam, cassis, red currants, licorice, cola, Asian spice and smoky oak that are fresh and vibrant. It’s lovely now, with a rich texture of finely-ground tannins, but should develop additional complexity with another five years in the cellar." (5/2008) 91 points Robert Parker:"The structured, tannic, backward, rich...Bien Nacido..reveals hints of creme de cassis, blackberries, tapenade, and spice box."(8/06)