Just as I was losing faith in screw caps, along comes a wine that makes me hesitate on totally giving up on them…

Actually a blend of 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier, this selection boasts 14.5% alchohol and is a limited production of only 250 cases. Named for and dedicated to the winemaker’s wife, this wine also boasts a 94 rating from Robert Parker.

The color is a deep, dark, inky blue-black. The nose is rich with dark fruits, cassis, graphite, smoke, and a hint of pepper. Those dark fruits (blackberry, plum, currant), smoke, and yes the pepper too, continue thru the palate with a hint of leather. The finish is long; the smoke and leather diminishing as the pepper takes over.

Do I have any regrets at all?  Yep, it could have cellared another couple years.  To be honest, I just didn’t trust the screw cap… been burned too many times. This is a winner.