Adelaida 2002 Syrah Paso Robles SLO ($18). Lush, enticing aromas of black plum and currants introduces a balanced, appealing wine. Finishes with creamy, sweet vanilla. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 05/05)

Anapamu 1999 Syrah Central Coast ($16). This is a full-bodied wine that boasts flavorful fruit, game and pepper notes. Tannins are firm but approachable now. The smoky finish lingers nicely. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine, 08/01)

Arcadian 2002 Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands Sleepy Hollow Vineyard ($NA). Intense and concentrated, with aromatic earth and game accents to the dusty black currant fruit. Long finish stays intense and picks up black pepper, licorice and coffee notes. Ready to drink now and over the next three to five years. (Richard’s Picks 12/06)

Baileyana 2003 Syrah Edna Valley Grand Firepeak Vineyard ($30). Tightly wound black currant and fleshy plum flavors are laced with aromatic white pepper and lavender accents. Quite pretty. Ready to drink now and over the next five or six years. (World Wide Wine 12/05)

Baystone 1999 Shiraz Dry Creek Valley ($24). Concentrated and lively, with vibrant red currant and cherry fruit, along with white pepper, toasty vanilla oak, and a scrumptious bittersweet chocolate note that emerges on the generous finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine, 07/01)

Benziger 2000 Syrah California ($22). Mouth-watering bouquet of deep black cherry and cassis fruit. Followed by smooth, concentrated black cherry accented with rosemary, earth, and white pepper. Generous finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three years. (Robyn’s Picks, 02/03)

Beringer 2003 Shiraz California Founders’ Estate ($11). Great BBQ wine, with a nice balance of ripe black currant, baking spices and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Quite good – especially at this price. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 08/05)

Bonny Doon

Bridlewood

Buena Vista Carneros 2005 Syrah Carneros ($25) is concentrated and flavorful, offering intense blueberry and black currant fruit laced with smoky spices, licorice and a touch of sweet earthy notes that all come together on the fruity finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (Picks & Nibbles 04/08)

Cambria

2006 Syrah Santa Maria Valley Tepusquet Vineyard ($19). Ripe but not jammy, with lush blueberry, blackberry and currant aromas and flavors that are laced with a peppery kick as well as touches of cedar and coffee. Ready to drink now and over the next three of four years. (2009-08-04) Locate this wine online or in your area.

2005 Syrah Santa Maria Valley Tepusquet Vineyard ($18). Excellent value here, with dense blackberry and black currant fruit laced with vanilla bean, sweet earth, spice and toast lingering on the firm finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-01-02)

Canyon Road 2000 Shiraz California ($10). Spicy currant and cherry fruit, with earth and herbal notes, make this a great value. Good structure and full tannins. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Wine Skinny Cooks, 12/02) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Castoro Cellars 2002 Syrah Paso Robles Reserve ($18). Violet, smoky black currant and blackberry aromas and flavors are laced with a hit of black pepper. Easy to like. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 05/05) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Chateau Souverain

Christopher Creek Winery 1997 Syrah Russian River Valley Reserve ($24). Very nice, with lush berry and black currant fruit along with touches of mocha and cinnamon. (Weekend Wine, 11/00) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Cline 1998 Syrah California ($10) — Wonderful spice and concentrated fruit are the stars here. Appealing tobacco undertones add interest and balance. Very good now and will age nicely for a few years. (Weekend Wine, 10/00) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Concannon 2007 Shiraz Central Coast ($10). Not at all bad for a ten-buck wine! The ripe black currant and cherry fruit accented with touches of smoky chocolate and toasted vanilla worked just fine with a casual mixed grill supper. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-10-19)

Cypress 2002 Shiraz California ($10). An easy-drinking, appealing red from J. Lohr — offers nice balance. Perfect for pizza night! Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 05/05) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Deerfield Ranch

Delicato

Domaine Alfred 2003 Syrah Edna Valley Chamisal Vineyard ($42). Concentrated and earthy, with ripe black currant and cherry flavors accented with coffee, licorice and cedar. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (World Wide Wine 12/05)

Eberle

Edna Valley

2002 Syrah Central Coast Paragon ($14). A solid tasting favorite, offering ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit balanced against tobacco, toasty oak and light herbal notes. Easy to enjoy at a great price. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 09/04)

2000 Syrah Central Coast Paragon 2000 ($17). Smooth black cherry and ripe berry fruit, layered with herbs, toasty oak, tobacco, and earth notes. Good structure and value. Delicious now and over the next three or four years. (Wine Skinny Cooks, 12/02)

1999 Syrah Central Coast Paragon ($17). Wonderful wine! Lush ripe fruit is concentrated and spicy, with a healthy dose of smooth vanilla oak. The spicy note lingers on through the finish. Very well done. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine, 08/01)

Edward Sellers 2004 Cuvée des Cinq Paso Robles ($42). This Paso Robles winery makes small amounts of Rhone-style blends, including this wine Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise and Cinsault blend. With concentrated red currant aromas and flavors that pick up dashes of tobacco, licorice, baking spices and black pepper on the way to the bright, lingering finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Picks & Nibbles 12/07)

Elyse 2000 d’Aventure California ($23) is pure enjoyment in a bottle. A deceptively complex blend of focused black currant and cherry fruit, with layers of black pepper, game and mineral accents. Stays focused through the appealing finish. A blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault, Viognier and Gamay. Rhone Ranger heaven! Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (Weekend Wine, 09/03)

Estancia 2005 Shiraz Central Coast ($13). With its concentrated black currant and blackberry fruit that offers hints of smoky cedar and earth on the complex finish, this is not only good for the money. It’s just plain good! Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-09-30)

Fess Parker 2007 Syrah Santa Barbara County ($24). Very nice, with concentrated black currant and tangy dried cherry aromas and flavors accented with cedar, black pepper and baking spices, all coming together on the tasty finish. Was a good match to grilled chicken skewered with bacon-wrapped figs. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-09-22)

Fife

1999 L’Attitude 39 Mendocino ($20). A Rhone blend featuring Syrah, Carignane, Mourvedre, Grenache, and Cinsaut. Lip-smacking red berry fruit is studded with a heady combination of mocha, herbs, lavender and rich oak. Super food-friendly — try it with a roasted chicken for a little bit of rustic French heaven. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Weekend Wine 02/02) Locate this wine online or in your area.

1999 Syrah Mendocino Old Yokayo Rancho Vineyard ($35). Full-bodied, earthy and intense, with concentrated cherry, espresso, and game flavors nicely integrated with delicate oak. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. And a special occasion might even make us splurge for what would otherwise be a slightly steep price tag! (Weekend Wine 02/02) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Forest Glen

1999 Oak Barrel Selection California Shiraz ($10). Black currant and spice are smoothed out with appealing plum notes. Generous oak lingers on the finish. Ready to drink now. (ETFOFW, 08/01) Locate this wine online or in your area.

1996 Shiraz California Barrel Select ($10). Good oak runs throughout the concentrated currant and spicy Shiraz typical flavors. This falls into that category of syrah wines that are highly addictive. Did I say addictive? Such an ugly word. I meant enjoyable. Drinkable. Versatile. (Weekend Wine, 06/00) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Frei Brothers Reserve

Gallo of Sonoma 2002 Syrah Sonoma County ($13). Concentrated, deep purple color. Warm, spicy bouquet. Black cherry and berry fruit flavors are laced with smoke, light earth and toasty oak. Finishes with a candied note. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 09/04)

Geyser Peak 1998 Shiraz Sonoma County ($17). Smooth in the mouth, but backed up with solid body and firm, but integrated tannins, this wine is rich with plum and black cherry, with an intriguing spicy earth note. Ready to drink now and over the next three years. (Winery Spotlight, 04/01)

Graff Family Vineyard 2000 Mourvedre ($20). Offers spicy sweet berry aromas introducing smooth cherry and blueberry fruit with an appealing smoky character. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Nice acidity, and picks up cola and vanilla on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Winery Spotlight, 12/02)

Geyser Peak 1999 GRB901 California ($14). This is a Rhone blend that includes Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre. Concentrated dried red berry is the star here, with nicely understated notes of pepper, earth, and spice. Food friendly. Ready to drink now. (Winery Spotlight, 04/01)

Handley Cellars 2006 Syrah Dry Creek Valley Handley Vineyard ($20). Aromatic and pretty, with black cherry and berry fruit layered with chocolate and perfumed baking spices. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-02-23)

Hess Collection 2002 Syrah California Select ($13). Slurpably good, with ripe cherry and cola flavors that pick up a kick of black pepper and shot of juicy acidity on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 08/05)

Hess Select

2000 Syrah California ($14). Smooth plum and black cherry, with waves of vanilla, nutmeg, and smoke, finishing with chocolate and oak. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Robyn’s Picks, 02/03)

1998 Syrah California ($13). The epitome of a California Syrah – this wine is bursting with ripe red fruit, with splashy waves of spicy black pepper and chocolate. Well structured and balanced. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Robyn’s Picks, 04/01)

Ironstone 1997 Shiraz California ($9). Easily the favorite wine of the evening, with everyone agreeing that the concentrated red currant and cherry fruit flavors, accented with mint and smoke and pepper, were wonderful. Ready to drink now. Excellent with the aged Asiago. (Weekend Wine, 07/01)

J. Lohr 1998 Syrah Paso Robles South Ridge ($15). Unexpectedly sophisticated and age-worthy, this beauty features smooth, concentrated cherry and black currant fruit, with good spice and interesting herbal notes. Good tannin balance. Ready to drink now and over the next five years. (Robyn’s Picks, 04/01)

Jade Mountain

Justin

L’Aventure

2007 Côte à Côte Paso Robles ($85). A Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre blend, offering seriously concentrated, blackberry jam aromas and flavors, with complexity building through the finish, picking up dark chocolate, pepper spice, sweet vanilla and oaky notes along the way. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-03-16)

2007 Estate Cuvee Paso Robles ($85). A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, offering layers of supple blackberry and black cherry, with accents of licorice, creamy vanilla, tobacco and spicy oak that linger on the concentrated finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-03-16)

Landmark 2003 Syrah Sonoma Valley El Farolito Vineyard Steel Plow ($25). Concentrated blackberry and currant aromas and flavors are layered with roasted coffee bean, vanilla and a touch of warm spices. Shows considerable grip on the finish. Should continue to improve for some time in the bottle. Tempting now (decant first!) and over the next five or six years. (Weekend Wine 10/06)

Madrona Vineyards 2002 Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon El Dorado ($16). Sweet red cherry, cedar and vanilla aromas introduce this medium-bodied blend that builds intensity through the pleasing finish. Along the way, flavors include cola, red cherry and berry, toasty oak, and light baking spices. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine 06/05)

Marr 2001 Syrah Sonoma County ($16). Nice balance between ripe, meaty black cherry and plum flavors and zesty acidity and mineral notes. With smoke, spice and tar accents that add layers of complexity and interest on the lingering finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine 01/06)

McDowell

2000 Syrah Mendocino ($12). Nicely structured layers of red currant and cherry, black pepper, leaf, dark chocolate and spicy oak on a medium-bodied frame. Ripe and full of flavor. Excellent value. Ready to drink now and over the next two years. (Robyn’s Picks, 02/03)

1999 Syrah Mendocino ($12). Complex, with pronounced pepper, spice and tar flowing through the ripe cherry and berry fruit. Good value for a distinctive wine that somehow tastes more expensive than it is! Ready to drink now and over the next three years. (Robyn’s Picks, 04/01)

Meridian 2002 Syrah Santa Barbara County Reserve ($16). Jammy blueberry and purple grape flavors and aromas, with anise, light chocolate and baking spice accents. Ripe, full finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 09/04)

Midnight Cellars 2002 Syrah Paso Robles Nocturne ($19). A tasting favorite, offering judicious vanilla notes that lace deep blueberry and black cherry fruit. Nicely balanced, with an appealing earthy/funky character that lingers in the background. Very good now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 05/05)

Napa Ridge 1998 Shiraz Coastal Stanislaus County ($9). Zippy, bright, red fruit is the star here. Red raspberry, cherry, a touch of strawberry — all shine in a happy, eminently drinkable red wine. Slightly short on the finish. Pair this wine with fresh goat cheeses, stuffed mushrooms, or bruschetta and sit back and enjoy. (Weekend Wine, 06/00)

Niner 2006 Syrah Paso Robles Bootjack Ranch ($20) is appealing for its ripe boysenberry and black cherry character — deep and rich and laced with tobacco, chocolate and black pepper spice notes. With a plush, smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (2011-03-26)

The Ojai Vineyard

2006 Syrah Santa Barbara County ($27). Concentrated black plum and blackberry fruit stays focused through the finish, with fresh acidity, deep baking spice and tobacco notes, and nicely integrated tannins. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-02-17)

2005 Syrah Ojai Valley Roll Ranch Vineyard ($45). Inky purple in color. Very nice aromas and flavors including silky, concentrated blackberry and black currant fruit, fresh earth, smoky black pepper and dark chocolate notes that linger on the generous, smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next four to six years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-02-17)

2006 Syrah Santa Rita Hills Melville Vineyards ($45). The richest and ripest of the three, but still offering a refreshing quality, with black cherry and berry flavors accented with coffee, dark chocolate and aromatic, peppery spice. Shows some grip on the finish. Ready to drink now (a little decanting time would help smooth out those tannins!) and over the next four or five years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-02-17)

Palmeri 2002 Syrah Napa Valley Stagecoach Vineyard ($47). Full of concentrated black currant and blueberry aromas and flavors, along with warm spices and bittersweet chocolate notes, all wrapped up in a definite earthy character that adds interest and complexity to the ripe flavors. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Label Art 04/05) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Pepperwood Grove

2000 Syrah California ($9). This is an annual favorite bargain around here. Consistently shows jammy fruit with more complex accents than you might expect at this price. Anise, nutmeg, herbs, toasty oak, leather – they’re all here. Medium-bodied with solid tannins. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Wine Skinny Cooks, 12/02) Locate this wine online or in your area.

1999 Syrah California ($8). We were just telling a friend at a local wine store that this wine has become one of our annual favorite best buys, and this vintage is another reason why! Lipsmacking good, with ripe currant fruit studded with touches of espresso and vanilla — all on a smooth frame. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Weekend Wine, 11/01) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Quivira 1998 Dry Creek Cuvee Dry Creek Valley ($15). This Grenache-based wine is fun and easy to enjoy. Blended with Mourvedre, Syrah and Zinfandel, this wine is slurpably fruity, with a touches of spice and dried cranberry. Very food friendly. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Robyn’s Picks, 04/01)

Qupe 2002 Syrah Central Coast ($15). Lots of body and structure at this price point, with blackberry and plum fruit layered with earth, exotic spice and licorice notes. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 09/04)

Rancho Zabaco 1999 Syrah Sonoma County ($18). Smooth and subtle, with concentrated red fruit, smoke, and vanilla oak. The finish is pleasant, but stops a little short. Would benefit from food. Ready to drink now and over the next year or so. (Weekend Wine, 09/01)

Ravenswood 2005 Syrah Sonoma County ($15). Great deal here — there are plenty of higher-priced Syrahs that aren’t nearly as appealing. With pretty red currant and berry fruit that starts slightly meaty and then folds into a graceful, chocolate-laced finish. Nicely balanced and food-friendly. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-04-06)

Renwood 2000 Syrah Sierra Series ($12). Wonderful juicy red currant and cherry fruit layered with racy white pepper and velvety smooth mocha notes. A very good value. Ready to drink now and over the next three years. (Winery Spotlight 08/02)

RH Phillips

2002 Shiraz Dunnigan Hills ($9). In the groovy new bottle shape and screwcap closure, this Shiraz offers fragrant, jammy raspberry, smooth spice and pepper notes, and a creamy vanilla and toasty oak finish. Easy to enjoy with a burger and fries or spicy barbecue. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 09/04)

1999 Syrah Dunnigan Hills EXP ($14). This is a big wine for the price. Silky red fruit is integrated with meaty and leather notes, ending with a smooth chocolaty finish. Good now, but better in a couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 08/01)

1998 Syrah Dunnigan Hills ($9). (80% Dunnigan Hills Syrah, 20% Dunnigan Hills Petite Sirah) Ah, Syrah. Ripe raspberry, currant, vanilla, and spice. Grrrrr. This made me want to dab some behind my ear and wait for the Big Bad Wolf on my way to Grandma’s house. (ETFOFW, 01/01)

Robert Craig

1998 Syrah Paso Robles ($24). Wow is this wine good! It is full-bodied and rich, with lots of ripe fruit, plenty of oak, and a spicy note that I really liked. We paired it with a blackened redfish dish — great combination! (Weekend Wine, 02/01)

Robert Hall

Talmage 2006 Syrah Mendocino Ridge Mariah Vineyard ($32). Earthy licorice accents on the nose and palate, with full-bodied, meaty, dark blackberry and currant fruit flavors that pick up sweet smoke, deep spices, bittersweet chocolate, tar and, finally, a hint of brown sugar. Just a baby now, should age beautifully for the next 6-8 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-01-21)

Testarossa 2000 Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands Garys’ Vineyard ($42). Full-bodied black currant and cherry fruit is ripe and full of flavor, with generous earth and pepper, plus a touch of game. Should age nicely. Ready to drink now and over the next four years. (Weekend Wine, 11/03)

Tobin James 2002 Syrah Paso Robles Rock ‘n Roll ($18). Slurpably good, with jammy, lip-smacking red cherry fruit and a hit of cracked black pepper. Almost Zin-like. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 05/05)

Turning Leaf 2002 Syrah California ($10). Candied, cough medicine character dominates. Not a tasting favorite. (Weekend Wine, 09/04)

Viader 2005 Syrah Napa Valley ($50). Just a lovely wine, with heady, concentrated, sweet red currant and berry aromas and flavors laced with mushroom and baking spices that linger on the focused finish. Should age nicely – drink now and over the next five or six years. (Drinks with Les Dames 04/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.

Victor Hugo 2003 Syrah Paso Robles ($20). Spicy blackberry and currant fruit is rich but balanced, picking up black pepper and sweet vanilla on the lush finish. Very good. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 05/05)

Vina Robles 2001 Syrah Paso Robles California ($18). Big and spicy, with sweet ripe fruit aromas and flavors that stay focused through the juicy finish. Black cherry, dark chocolate, espresso, toasty oak. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 05/05)

Wattle Creek

Wente 2002 Shiraz Livermore Valley Karl Wente The Nth Degree ($42). Ripe and voluptuous, with waves of ripe black cherry, currant and blueberry fruit laced with cedary oak and sweet clove. Smooth finish stays focused. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine 07/05)

Wild Horse 2003 Syrah Paso Robles ($22). Deeply scented, with earth, black currant and bacon aromas introducing black currant and wild blueberry flavors, spicy oak and dried herbs. Ripe, fruity finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Winery Spotlight 06/06)

Wilson

2007 Syrah Dry Creek Valley Dorothy’s Vineyard ($30). Very nice, offering structured layers of blackberry, black currant, mineral, light tobacco notes and a touch of peppery spice, folding into a long, tight finish. Opens up nicely with some breathing time. Ready to drink now and over the next 7-8 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-12-23)

2004 Syrah Dry Creek Valley Dorothy’s Vineyard ($28). Deep blackberry and black plum is accented with leather, smoky tobacco, spice and dusty cocoa that linger on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine 03/08)

Zaca Mesa