97 Alma Rosa 2021 El Jabali Vineyard Syrah (Sta. Rita Hills). In this bottling, winemaker Samra Morris is tapping the cool-climate Syrah vein like few others. The nose is awash in lamb, hot asphalt, iodine and dried berry aromas. Thick but firm in tannins, the palate shows amazingly savory flavors of charred lamb, olive tapenade, black currant and pepper sauce. —M.K.
abv: 14.7% Price: $85
96 Holus Bolus 2022 Presqu’ile Vineyard Syrah Few wines age better than cool-climate Syrah, and the generosity of fruit in this vintage will be fascinating to track as savory elements take hold. Aromas of strawberry, raspberry, pepper and foggy redwood forest kick off the nose. The palate lands with bay and eucalyptus leaf flavors that meet with underripe blackberry, green peppercorn and dried seaweed by the finish. Drink now–2042. . —M.K.
