The moment I’m ready to write 13^th Street off as a has-been winery they pull off some magic with something like this delightful Syrah, which spent 14 months in oak, and in so doing has developed, as you’d expect, a cool climate Syrah to die for. Smoky, meaty character with peppery notes on the back end … the palate shows those meaty and pepper elements with hints of red fruits in the form of raspberry peaking around the corner. With time this wine will prove itself to be a real blockbuster, but for now it’s exactly what Syrah from our cool climate should be: meaty, smoky and peppery. Price: $44.95 – Rating: ****+