Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 88 points - Another excellent bargain is the 2003 Syrah Estate.  Made in a mainstream, somewhat commercial style, it offers a deep ruby/purple color, lovely purity of fruit, good texture, medium body, and no hard edges.  This luscious Syrah will offer plenty of enjoyment over the next 3-6 years.

Wine Spectator, 85 points - Appealing in a rustic sort of way.  Aromas of white pepper, roasted herbs, plum and licorice lead to intense flavors and chewy, cedary tannins.  Drink now through 2008.

Growing Season and Harvest
A cool spring brought uneven berry size in most varieties, but the weather remained moderate all the way through the growing season and harvest, which gave a very evenly paced crush. With low yields and no adverse weather, 2003 gave us exceptional quality and one of the easiest harvests to date.

Winemaking
Our grapes were hand harvested and quickly delivered to the winery where they were gently destemmed and placed into open-top fermenters. During fermentation, the rising grape skins were punched down three times a day resulting in wine of intense color, rich flavors and fine tannins. This wine was aged for sixteen months in French oak barrels; 25% of them were new. The finished wine was minimally filtered before bottling.

The Wine
Our Syrah displays rich blackberry, cassis and our signature sage spice aromas and flavors. The finish lingers from the ripe tannins and smoky oak. This full-bodied wine should be enjoyed over the next ten years. A traditional pairing for this wine is a leg of lamb marinated in rosemary and garlic. However, a peppercorn steak or mushroom risotto would work incredibly well.