The 2023 Syrah (Santa Lucia Highlands), from Soberanes, offers up an exotic mélange of inky dark fruit, lavender, sage, menthol, licorice, cloves and strong savory notes from the 100% stems. This is a shockingly opulent, deep, palate-staining wine for its modest 12.8% alcohol. Readers should plan on cellaring this for at least a few years to help some of the baby fat melt away. The 2023 is a seriously impressive wine.