2004 Orion Syrah

(14.4% alcohol): Bright medium ruby. Extremely backward but pure aromas of briary blackberry, bitter cherry and licorice are accented by treble notes of pepper and herbs. Sweet, layered and utterly mouthfilling, offering a musky, almost foxy quality to the liqueur-like black raspberry, olive and spice flavors. At once thick and energetic, this extremely deep wine went into a shell in my glass. It still needs another four or five years in the cellar.