This is the Lailey wine that doesn’t fit conventional wisdom of the usual Cabernet-Merlot blend. That’s because it contains a boatload of Syrah – 68% to be exact – followed by 12% of both Malbec and Petit Verdot along with 8% Cabernet Sauvignon which spent 18 months in oak. The nose is slightly shy at this early age with smoked meat and black raspberry being the most noticeable at the moment. The palate is currently a little more forthcoming with smoky-bacon, raspberry, black cherry and spicy notes; there was also some interesting vanilla-pepper nuances. The tannins are well-integrated and should continue to integrate themselves nicely over the next few years while the wine itself should drink well over the next decade, possibly longer. Price: $45.00 – Rating: ****