Another wine that overachieves is the 2013 Syrah Morrison Lane. Easily the best vintage of this cuvee to date, it has a killer bouquet of olive tapenade, grounded, peppered meats and a core of darker fruits. Medium to full-bodied, seamless, elegant and with fine tannin, it's terrific and will drink nicely for 10-15 years.

Kirsch, wet stone, lavender and dried herb aromas are followed by ripe jazzy generous dark-fruit flavors. Fine-grained tannins provide support, with a supple mouthfeel piquing the interest.