Sandlands, Syrah, Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands

Turley winemaker Tegan Passalacqua is better known for Zinfandel and Chenin Blanc, but his Syrah is so good it challenges this Monterey appellation’s reputation for Pinot. Fleshy fruit and olive notes play counterpoint to cherry stone, tar and cocoa, with a dense, subtle, tannic carpet underneath.