Herman Story Nuts & Bolts Syrah 2018

The 2018 Nuts & Bolts checks in as 100% Syrah from a mix of vineyards that spent 18 months in 85% new French oak. This cuvée always delivers the goods. The 2018 sports a deep purple color, rocking Syrah notes of blackberries, ground pepper, smoked meat, and roasted meat, full-bodied richness, remarkable purity, and silky yet present tannins. This pleasure-bent, sexy, yet pure, balanced Syrah can be enjoyed any time over the coming 7-8 years. It's the finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted.

Incredibly dark in color and intense in aromas, this bottling is lush with concentrated blackberry, black currant, charred wood and a hint of coffee on the nose. On the palate, firm yet polished tannins uphold dense flavors of black cherry, roasted black currant and plum, cola, espresso bean and cracked pepper. Acid washes into the finish.

Glass-staining ruby. Ripe black and blue fruits, candied licorice, espresso, violet, woodsmoke and vanilla on the powerful, spice-accented nose. Broad and fleshy but surprisingly lively as well, offering concentrated cassis, cherry-vanilla, blackberry and fruitcake flavors and a hint of smoked meat. Finishes very long and spicy, with steadily building tannins and resonating blue fruit and vanilla notes. Nothing shy here. 85% new French oak.