I really like some of Rosenblum’s wines — I think their entry level Petite Syrah is one of the great values (at around $15) out of California, and now in the world thanks to the sinking value of the dollar.

This wine is one of their higher end wines, made with sourced fruit out the hills south and west of Yountville in the Southern Napa Valley. Inky deep purple, almost black in color. Quite aromatic, some stewed cherry and blackberry pie, with a bit of pepper and toasted oak — and some heat. On the palate, loads of fruit, black cherry and blackberries, slate and some graphite. Velvety in texture with nice tannins and a persistent, lingering finish. It really pushes the limits at 16.4% alcohol. It is a very big, high alcohol wine that almost pulls it together, but it does have some Robitussin, candified, medicinal characteristics — some elements remind me a bit of a tawny port.

I know that all sounds pretty negative, but there are lots of nice characteristics, just wish it wasn’t so over the top — and understand that is my own subjective opinion/taste/preference.