Coming from the Costieres de Nimes AOC in the Southern Rhone valley of France, the 2013 Syrah Le Fervent is a delicious, balanced and textured Syrah that gives up lots of blackberry and black cherry fruits, pepper, violets and distinct minerality on the nose and palate. Fermented with one-third whole clusters and aged one-third in older barrels and two-thirds in tank, it's medium-bodied, has solid purity of fruit and nicely integrated acidity, all of which suggest it will drink nicely for 4-5 years.

Frankly ripe, with a blast of blueberry and plum compote flavors, liberally lined with cocoa and singed black tea notes. A toasty edge holds the finish, but this stays juicy enough for balance. Syrah. Drink now. 5,000 cases imported.