La Landonne Côte-Rotie Syrah

In a great place

Smokey, fleshy, mature red, purple, and green fruits

Lean alcohol, smoke, bacon fat, red and blue berries. Classic and lovely

When your only downside is your youthful exuberance at almost 20 years old, and sheer ruggedness next to your viognier blended peer. It's not too bad.

Ahhhhhhh

Tighter nose with darker fruits, charcoal and blood. Weightier, with higher ripeness to the fruit. Tannin still present and showing the youngest of the three. Bottle did seem a little off though.

Smoked meats with mineral backbone

A lot of wine here - a nose like a young vintage port with bacon bits and charcoal.

With Jeff Leve

Smoke, bacon, tar, and just enough funk. Perfect with porterhouse