This past weekend…
2005 McPrice Myers Syrah Larner Vineyard (Santa Ynez Valley, CA)
15.2% ALC. Popped and poured with dinner.
Initially, heady nose brimming with ripe blackberry, blue berry syrup, oak, peppery meat with noticeable heat. With more air, the heat dissipated, but was still noticeable in the nose and finish.
Overall, still a very tasty, brawny and well crafted CA syrah. Interesting to note that I had the same bottle about a year ago and found it surprisingly graceful and a bench mark cool climate syrah.
2006 Shane Syrah Valenti Ranch (Anderson Valley, CA)
Muted, fruitless nose, overly sour taste; argh, corked!
I enjoyed this same bottle about 6 months ago and loved it despite that it’s still a pup; was eager to see some evolution.
2005 Villa Antinori Toscana (Tuscany, Italy)
Great cooking wine! 
There was a glass or more left after using the bulk of the wine to make a lamb ragu. Nothing exciting to note here.
2005 Alesia Syrah Fairview Ranch (Santa Lucia Highlands, CA)
Stellar! I really like this syrah.
Now, just because my name is “brett” doesn’t imply that I automatically like “the funk”. And the Fairview definitely has some earthy funk; but it’s no flaw. It’s the trait of this vineyard and I totally dig it.
The wine carries nice weight, but really stands out for it’s elegance and complexity. At this point I pick up more red fruits in the nose and mouth, but given the time the wine still needs that will probably change. Plenty of acidity keeps the palate perked and the finish is pure elegance culminating with a punch of white pepper.