Joseph Phelps Syrah (Napa Valley) 1999

A deep, almost black wine that shows almost no signs of age. After double decanting, it offered a powerful bouquet and intense flavors. There's a good layer of fruit (mostly wild berries) but the dominant impression is smoke, herbs, and black pepper. Very drinkable now, although there were enough tannins left to suggest that a few more years of aging would not be amiss. Grade: B++