The 2011 Syrah Dark Blossom showed even better from bottle than barrel...this beauty was fermented with 17% whole clusters and aged in equal parts new and used French oak...it's a full-bodied, concentrated and layered Syrah that has awesome aromatics of blackcurrants, Peking duck, pepper, licorice and charcuterie in its seamless, thrillingly pure profile...the tannins are certainly present, yet they're sweet, polished and have no hard edges. | Jeb Dunnuck for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 99 pointsThe 2011 Syrah Dark Blossom is dark, mysterious and wonderfully inviting. Black fruit, savory herbs, leather and spice meld together in a deep, dense wine that is constantly changing in the glass. Savory overtones add intrigue. The firm, muscular 2011 tannins are going to need time to soften. Readers lucky enough to find the 2011 can look forward to years of thrilling drinking. | Antonio Galloni 96 pointsOpaque purple. Deep, lush and pungent on the nose, with powerful scents of cassis, boysenberry, singed plum and violet. Then smooth and sweet on the palate, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors and a hint of vanilla, with lively acidity adding lift and focus. Finishes lush, concentrated and extremely long, with lingering flavors of boysenberry and blackberry liquer. | Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94-95 points