Recent, High-End "Rhône Rangers," May 28, 2009

The top four wines were very close in our May tasting of recent, high-end California "Rhône Rangers," with the 2001 Alban Reva syrah from Edna Valley emerging as the winner by a single point. Right behind were the 2004 Tensley syrah, Colson Canyon, Santa Barbara and the 2003 La Sirena syrah, Napa Valley, with the 2004 Garretson syrah, Mon Amie, from Paso Robles in fourth place. The wines showed extremely well overall and met or exceeded almost everyone's expectations. Eight of the 11 wines got at least one first-place vote, and every wine got at least two votes.

1. 2001 Alban Syrah, Reva, Edna Valley (WS 94, WA 93) (2 firsts/2 second/1 third/1 fourth, 17 points)
2. 2004 Tensley Syrah, Colson Canyon, Santa Barbara (WS NR, WA 93) (3/1/0/1, 16 points)
3. 2003 La Sirena Syrah, Napa Valley (WS NR, WA 93) (1/3/1/1, 16 points)
4. 2004 Garretson Syrah, Mon Amie, Paso Robles (WS 87, WA 94) (1/1/2/3, 14 points)
5. 2005 Bevan Cellars Syrah, Drystack Vineyard, Bennett Valley, Sonoma (WS NR, WA NR) (1/1/1/0, 9 points)
6. 2005 Lagier Meredith Syrah, Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley (WS 92, WA 95) (1/0/1/2, 8 points)
7. 2004 Qupé Syrah, Bien Nacido Hillside, Santa Barbara (WS NR, WA 92) (0/1/2/1, 8 points)
8. Tie: 2006 Denner Syrah, The Dirt Worshipper, Paso Robles (WS 93, WA 88+), and
2006 Saxon Brown Syrah, Parmelee-Hill Owl Box Block, Sonoma (WS 94, WA 90) (1/0/1/0, 6 points)
10. 2005 Red Car Syrah, California (WS 93, WA 93) (0/1/1/1, 6 points)
11. 2000 Ojai Vineyards Syrah, Melville Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills (WS 90, WA 94) (0/1/0/1, 4 points)