Very deep garnet-purple, the 2015 IX Syrah Estate opens with intense crushed black cherries, black plums and mulberries with underlying black pepper, peppered salami, violets and chocolate box plus a lovely star anise and sandalwood waft. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and wonderfully soft and sexy, it gives tons of perfumed black fruit and spice cake layers, finishing very long.

I compared the 2015 Syrah IX Estate to an Hermitage from Chapoutier on release, and I stand by that comparison today. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of darker berries, ground pepper, candied violets, and cured meats, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful freshness, and a great finish. It’s drinking beautifully today yet has another 15 years of prime drinking ahead of it.