I did not taste Pride Mountain’s 2008 Sangiovese (normally one of the best Sangioveses made in California), but the 2008 Syrah was very good rather than inspirational. It exhibited dark berry fruit, tar and spice characteristics as well as a medium-bodied finish. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. This brilliant estate, whose vineyards straddle the Napa/Sonoma county line at the top of Spring Mountain, continues to turn out a bevy of exciting wines that first made headlines when Bob Foley was the winemaker. The transition from Foley to the current winemaker, Sally Johnson, has gone flawlessly. Tel. (707) 963-4949; Fax (707) 963-6039

This wine earns its high score by virtue of sheer richness. It’s enormous in blackberry, cassis, roasted meat, licorice, black pepper and smoky cedar flavors, and finishes dry and spicy. There’s a tannic toughness that resists the palate, and doesn’t seem likely to age out, so drink over the next few years.——S.H.(8/1/2011)—— 90