Tried this Sat night w/ low expectations:
1. Sunstone Syrah SBC (13.5%) SantaYnez 1995: Dark color w/ little bricking; beautiful smokey/roasted/espresso/pungent/Rhonis slight blackberry/Syrah bit herbal very complex Rhonish nose; bit tart intense pungent/Rhonish/espresso/coffee/roasted/smoked meats/licorice bit blueberry/blackberry/Syrah/peppery/black pepper very complex flavor w/ light bit hard/firm tannins; very long/lingering very pungent/Rhonish/espresso/espresso/smoked meats/roasted some blueberry/blackberry/Syrah finish w/ light firm tannins; probably as good as it'll ever be; a spectacular mature Syrah much like an old Qupe X-Block of HillsideReserve.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. I remember really liking those early Sunstone Syrahs and Viogniers. The first Sunstones were made at FessParker by ?? (JoeyTensley??). When I tried them again on a visit a few yrs later, I remember being rather disappointed. Don't know what they are like now. should stop in their tasting room in a few weeks and give them a shot. But this '95 Syrah was simply spectacular.
Tom