Interesting French-like Syrahs are also made from the estate's steep hillside vineyards. The 2008 IX Syrah Estate is performing even better than it did last year from barrel. Juicy bacon fat, roasted meat, grilled herb and smoky notes are classic northern Rhone Syrah characteristics. A floral component suggests some Viognier could be co-fermented, but this is 100% Syrah. The wood is well-concealed in this full-bodied, delicious wine. It is capable of a decade or more of cellaring. Proprietor Ann Colgin, her winemaker, Allison Tauziet, and consultant, Dr. Alain Raynaud, must be pleased with their 2008s and attractive 2009s, even though neither of these two vintages measures up to what they achieved in 2007, 2005, 2002 and 2001. The 2008s were all bottled in July, 2010. It's hard to believe, but the Tychson Hill Vineyard on Route 29 just north of St. Helena is now 12 years old. 2009 was an overall cooler year, but the harvest at Colgin took place before the unprecedented 5- to 6-inch rainfalls hit Northern California in mid-October. Yields were normal across the board. In case you missed the reviews in issue of 186 (12-23-09), the just released bottled 2007s received the following scores: Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb VINEYARD (97) (the last release from this site) Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill (97+), Cariad (99), IX Proprietary Red (100), IX Syrah Estate (95).Tel. (707) 963-0999; Fax (707) 963-0996

Impressive for its elegance and finesse, this is taut and minerally, with dried berry, plum and blackberry, roasted game meat, white pepper, sage and cedary notes that are sleek, focused and long on the finish. Best from 2013 through 2025. 335 cases made. -JL