2013 Alban Syrah Patrina Estate

Opaque purple. Smoke-accented black and blue fruits and a hint of violet on the fragrant nose. Gently sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering juicy blackberry and boysenberry flavors sharpened by a jolt of cracked pepper. Shows impressive energy and spicy thrust on the very long, supple finish, which features fine-grained tannins and a touch of bitter chocolate. There are 1,800 cases of this wine to go around, and the price makes it a solid value for those wanting to get an idea of what the fuss is about for this iconic New World Rhône variety specialist.

Bright purple. Dark berry preserves, spicecake and smoky minerals on the highly perfumed nose. Coats the palate with juicy black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors, with subtle spice and mineral nuances adding lift and bite. Fleshy and deep but lithe as well. Finishes on a gently tannic note, with very good focus and length.

The 1,080 case 2013 Syrah Patrina, which is the entry level Syrah, sees a higher temperature during fermentation and roughly 20 days on skins, with periodic punch downs. Aged 22 months in two-thirds new French oak, it trumps most estates grand vin. Showing the forward, plush, sweetly fruited style of all of the 2013s here, with notes of smoked meats, violets, caramelized black cherries and cassis, with its oak component pushed all the way into the background, drink this full-bodied, pure, seamless Syrah through 2023. Aug 2016, www.robertparker.com