Pride's 2011 Syrah is huge. Black cherry, plum, mocha, spice and tobacco notes burst from the glass in an intense, full-bodied Syrah loaded with mountain character. Smoke, tobacco and a host of earthier, gamier notes develop in the glass, but the 2011 remains distinctly big and fruit-driven in style. The 2011 is not a wine for the timid. I would love to taste it again in another few years, but it is already pretty special. The 2011 saw a dollop of Viognier (3%) and was aged in neutral oak.

Readers looking for more melted asphalt, barbecue smoke, roasted meat and blackberry fruit characteristics should check out the gorgeous 2011 Syrah. Composed of 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier, and aged 16 months in neutral French oak, this is a lusty, dense, surprisingly intense, fruit bomb style of Syrah that is already complex and seemingly close to full maturity. It should provide sumptuous drinking over the next 3-4 years. As always, this winery situated at the crest of Spring Mountain on both sides of the Napa/Sonoma counties boundary, has turned out a portfolio of interesting as well as satisfying wines. Amazingly, Pride Mountain Vineyards now owns over 85 acres at high elevation sites spread over the top of Spring Mountain. Pride Mountain’s two flagship offerings are much more limited in availability, with only 569 cases of the 2010 Claret Reserve and 1,365 cases of the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.

Medium-dark purplish ruby color; attractive, forward, intense, smoky, plummy, peppery, spicy, blueberry and blackberry fruit aroma with herbal notes; full body; forward, rich, fleshy, concentrated, dark berry fruit flavors with good depth and firm acidity; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Shows enticing rich fruit though best to bottle age for a few more years. Very highly recommended.