The Wine Gift Shop

Red Wine by Bonny Doon from Central Coast, California. The label of the Syrah Le Pousseur suggests a mysterious figure, cloaked in a great coat, in which rare vials and flasks of vaguely illicit elixirs, potions and philtres are cached. The image evokes a Tarot card, and as such, represents an archetypical figure, an icon resonant to the unconscious. Great Syrah is all about perfume and the tension between the wild and the refined. 2005 was a coolish year, one of elegance and restraint, and the '05 is extremely refined; the wine (upon decanting) has an especially seductive perfume. The signifiers of vrai syrah: bacon fat is well in evidence, as is the scent of licorice, anise, wintergreen, violet and spicy elements - white pepper, most notably, juniper, cardamom and sandalwood. There is also a brilliant mineral element herein - mostly in virtue of shy-yielding grapes. The texture is particularly noteworthy, with melted, creamy tannins and a very silky finish.

Red Wine by Echelon from Central Coast, California. Echelon is known best for its Syrah, which imparts that distinct Rhone spiciness and peppery perfume with just the right amount of candied orange peel. The mouth bursts with sweet, ripe strawberry fruit as well as jammy plum traits offset by lively black pepper and cinnamon. This medium-bodied wine displays a dense color and soft, rounded mouthfeel.

Red Wine by Kinton from Central Coast, California. Kinton is dedicated to producing Syrah from some of the finest vineyard sites in Santa Barbara County. Their wines are dense and concentrated, elegant and sleek. It's not by accident that Kinton is located in Santa Barbara County -one of California's most celebrated appellations for Syrah. The unique conditions of this region allow Kinton to create Syrahs displaying both intensity and balance. The 2005 is racy with plum and dark berry, brightened by high notes of cherry, spiced with black pepper, and scented in the essence of smoky dark chocolate.

Red Wine by Vina Robles from Central Coast, California. Color: Dark cherry red with blue tints Dark cherry red with blue tints. Aroma: Intense black fruits together with floral notes and hints of white pepper, earth, liquorice and vanilla Intense black fruits together with floral notes and hints of white pepper, earth, liquorice and vanilla. Taste: Blackberries and boysenberries together with currants, spice and candied fruits. Silky and soft with a juicy quality, well Blackberries and boysenberries together with currants, spice and candied fruits. Silky and soft with a juicy quality, well balanced with soft but ripe tannins and a long pleasant finish.

Red Wine by Vina Robles from Central Coast, California. Dark cherry red. Lots of ripe and sweet fruit with notes of toasted oak. Full, big bodied with lots of fruit. Will age well now thru 2009.

Red Wine by Wente from Central Coast, California. The 2004 vintage has a dark purple-red color. The aromas are spicy with hints of toffee, coffee, and blackberry. This Syrah has medium tannins, black cherry flavors, and a smooth, spicy finish.