89+(?) 2009 Novy Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah 10/21/11 ($24)
Color: Purple black ruby. (3.0) Bouquet: Leather, sweet tobacco and rich blackberry preserves. (3.0) Body: Excellent fruit and very good acidity. Could be bigger or more racy. Solid middleweight. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with lots of leather and bittersweet black licorice. (3.0) Finish: Shows more bitterness here, losing some of the sweetness. (2.5)
Overall: Once given some air, this opens and smooths. The pure blackberry preserve fruit is excellent. It could use more ageworthy structure and be a little more racy. It also has some bitterness in the finish. Nonetheless, an excellent Syrah, particulalrly for the price. (14.5)