1995 Sine Qua Non 'The Other Hand' Syrah

"The 1995 The Other Hand is made from 100% Syrah grown in the Alban Bien Nacido and Stolpman vineyards situated respectively in Edna Valley Santa Maria and Los Olivos. Aged 18 months in oak of which 70% is new this blockbuster opaque purple-colored wine offers glorious notes of black fruits (primarily blackberry and cassis) subtle smoke toast and licorice and a whiff of plant material and spice. Full-bodied yet gorgeously layered and nearly seamless in its flamboyant display of fruit glycerin and extract this large-scaled yet drinkable Syrah will benefit from another few years in the bottle but it is already accessible. It is another example of why I think wineries in this region should be ripping out their Pinot Noir vines and re-planting with Syrah!" - Wine Advocate