Syrah Bien Nacido «Il Padrino»

There was a huge run on Latos Syrah from Bien Nacido Vinyard last year. Of course, because it had won Dunnuck's "perfect score", i.e. 100 points. I am still proud of Paul today, who has gone his own way all these years with great foresight, courage and sometimes even daring. He works tirelessly with his "growers" - Paul doesn't own a single vine, which is nothing unusual in California - to perfect his wines. He gets on particularly well with Chris Hammell, Vineyard Manager at Bien Nacido Vineyard. In this cool climate - the wind blows almost constantly - Santa Maria grows a wine that could easily pass for a Hermitage, a Cornas, perhaps even a Côte Rôtie.  Its insanely neat, profound aroma combines blackberries, ground pepper, white flowers and, specifically for Bien Nacido, rhubarb, all rather high notes and aromas of grilled steak provide the bass. Balanced like a Zen Buddhist, it moves expertly through the palate, bringing its structure to the center. The finish is breathtakingly beautiful, magical!