The Syrah wines of France and the Shiraz wines of Australia have been popular among wine drinkers for years. It's time to discover some of the best Syrah wines from California.

Fess Parker 2002 Rodney's Vineyard Syrah
I confess to an emotional bias toward any Fess Parker wine. When my oldest son was young he had one major hero--Davy Crockett. While other boys watched Ninja Turtles he watched Fess Parker play Davy Crockett. Fortunately this wine is quite good. It is a juicy Syrah with blackberry fruit and a hint of tar. The finish has good, ripe tannins, and will age quite well. This wine will be nice to pull out on those special occasions with my son.

Chateau Souverain 2001 Alexander Valley Syrah
This is a manly-man wine with spicy pepper, dark cherry, and wild berry flavors. It is a complex wine with layers of flavor. The tannins are present, but the juiciness balances it nicely. There is a marvelous, long finish.

Epiphany 2001 Starlane Vineyard Syrah
This wine is an Epiphany! It starts with toasty oak and fresh herbs, followed by cherry, currant, and a hint of chocolate. The flavors are dark with spice, dark fruits, and dark chocolate. The tannins are firm enough to create a large mouth feel. It's a wine to make you go "Hmmmmmmmmm."