SINE QUA NON

2014 Capo Dei Putti Estate Syrah, Eleven Confessions Vineyard | Ventura, California 750 ml

This voluptuous Amorino is an aphrodisiac if there ever was one. You are welcome. It is a love union of 90% Syrah, 3.2% Petite Sirah, 2% Grenache and a co-fermented 4.8% Viognier for extra seduction. Here 57% of the fuit was robbed of the rachis and 43% was turned to alcohol whole cluster. This Adonis got his charm training for 39 months in 94% new French oak barrels and 6% in used. Only barriques were employed. Like its Grenache sister, this also did not have to endure fining or filtration. This just plays with you and your senses. | Manfred Krankl for SQN Wines

Leading off with the reds, the extended barrel-aged 2014 Syrah Capo Di Putti boasts an insane bouquet of cedarwood, white chocolate, caramelized meats, candle wax, and assorted red and black fruits. With full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, and an incredible elegance, it changed every time I came back to teh glass and is a multi-dimensional, riveting red wine from California... | 99 points, Jeb Dunnuck for jebdunnuck.com