Not yet bottled, the 2017 Syrah Hated Hunter looks to be another magical wine from this estate, which has produced an incredible number of truly profound wines over the coming 10-15 years. Made from 82.4% Syrah, 7.8% Petite Sirah, and the rest Mourvèdre, Grenache, Viognier, and Petit Manseng, it will spend 23 months or so in 59% new French oak. My notes are sprinkled with a few expletives, but it does everything right, offering incredible purity of fruit, notes of white flowers, cured meats, spice box, and blackcurrants, full-bodied richness, and a seamless texture. It shows the pretty, perfumed, ripe style of the vintage yet is flawlessly balanced. The 2017s have a touch of the 2015 structure and austerity, so plan on 4-5 years of bottle age.

The 2017 Syrah The Hated Hunter is laced with the essence of black cherry, plum, new leather, tobacco, menthol and licorice. Striking aromatic top notes add nuance to this potent, beautifully resonant Syrah from Sine Qua Non. A whole range of blue/black stone fruits, lavender and licorice build effortlessly. A marvelously complete and promising wine, the 2017 offers a striking interplay of aromatic intensity, rich fruit and structure.