The 1997 Petite Syrah Aida Vineyard (from 80-year old vines) assaults the palate with such an overload of fruit, tannin, and extract that the taster's first impression is that this is something more than table wine. It is a massive, almost uncivilized, wildly out of control Petite Syrah that will require 10-15 years of cellaring, and last for 30 or more. I have been conservative in my judgment because the tannin nearly melted the fillings in my teeth, but this is an amazing, astonishing wine that will be fascinating to follow over the next 3-4 decades. Lamentably, it will certainly outlive me. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2040. Turley Cellars' Petite Syrahs are the most amazing wines ever produced from this varietal. Petite Sirah tends to be disparaged, but when it is made from low yields and extremely ripe fruit, it possesses 2-3 decades of aging potential, and can reach astonishing levels of complexity. Tel. (707) 963-0940; Fax (707) 963-8683

The 1997 Petite Syrah Aida Vineyard (from 80-year old vines) assaults the palate with such an overload of fruit, tannin, and extract that the taster's first impression is that this is something more than table wine. It is a massive, almost uncivilized, wildly out of control Petite Syrah that will require 10-15 years of cellaring, and last for 30 or more. I have been conservative in my judgment because the tannin nearly melted the fillings in my teeth, but this is an amazing, astonishing wine that will be fascinating to follow over the next 3-4 decades. Lamentably, it will certainly outlive me. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2040.Turley Cellars' Petite Syrahs are the most amazing wines ever produced from this varietal. Petite Sirah tends to be disparaged, but when it is made from low yields and extremely ripe fruit, it possesses 2-3 decades of aging potential, and can reach astonishing levels of complexity.Tel. (707) 963-0940; Fax (707) 963-8683

Turley continues to offer two of the blackest, densest, richest Petite Syrahs ever produced in California. Alongside its siblings, the 1996 Petite Syrah Aida Vineyard looks like a wimp with only 13.8% alcohol, but what concentration and intensity this wine offers. From a 4.5-acre vineyard, only 3 tons of fruit were harvested in 1996. The result is an opaque purple-colored wine with a dense, mineral, earthy, peppery, blackberry-scented nose, huge, ripe, thick flavors, gobs of glycerin and fruit, and a long, moderately tannic finish. My guess is that this wine requires 5-6 years of cellaring, and will keep for 2-3 decades. These wines sell out quickly, so readers should try to get their names on the winery's mailing list. Tel. (707) 963-0940; Fax (707) 963-8683.

Turley continues to offer two of the blackest, densest, richest Petite Syrahs ever produced in California. Alongside its siblings, the 1996 Petite Syrah Aida Vineyard looks like a wimp with only 13.8% alcohol, but what concentration and intensity this wine offers. From a 4.5-acre vineyard, only 3 tons of fruit were harvested in 1996. The result is an opaque purple-colored wine with a dense, mineral, earthy, peppery, blackberry-scented nose, huge, ripe, thick flavors, gobs of glycerin and fruit, and a long, moderately tannic finish. My guess is that this wine requires 5-6 years of cellaring, and will keep for 2-3 decades. These wines sell out quickly, so readers should try to get their names on the winery's mailing list. Tel. (707) 963-0940; Fax (707) 963-8683.