Winemakers Notes: Syrah has found an ideal home in the Finger Lakes , where our climate mimics France's Rhone Valley, where the grape produces some of the finest wines in the world. Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. Almost all that I had ever tasted were the Shiraz from Australia. From that day on I was a fan. MORE >>

The 2005 (“40th Anniversary&# ) is more accessible today and reveals the benefits of a few years aging as the tannins have softened, leaving behind a gorgeous, brambly zin with delicious aromatics of plum and spice. All too often, Zinfandel is a highway to a quick, cheap buzz. The lay of the land. But back to the tasting table. MORE >>

Producers visited included millionaires making quality wine from Rhone varietals to wealthy families planning to build hotels in addition to vineyards on their vast amount of land, and a sprinkle of families who inherited the wineries from their forefathers and ex-patriots who make wine and other businesses (wedding services) as well. Alorna. MORE >>

Winemaker Notes: We initially created this blend as an auction lot for the Hospice du Rhone held in Paso Robles each year. One of the great things about social networking is that you often get in contact with friends and classmates from a time when all was great, life was fun and we were all going to live forever. Here's what I learned. MORE >>

Before the grapes were even harvested, some commentators and industry participants had hailed this vintage as superb, everyone making parallels to 2005 and some even invoking the storied 1947. So how did things pan out in the glass? There is always a dash to opine first and Twitter has allowed that to happen in real time. Overall. Lafite 100. MORE >>