I have learned over the years that if Derek Barnett falls for a grape variety it is definitely one to watch, cause he’ll make it his own. So far he’s a fan of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc … the newest grape on his radar is Syrah – and he’s doing a bang up job with this grape too. This 2011 is truly a Syrah. Nose is full of peppery and meaty notes; palate sticks right to the Syrah playbook of sour cherry, cranberry, smoked meat and white pepper … keep sipping to find raspberry and more pepper – which really began to show around sip six. Price: $27.00 – Rating: ****