Lumbering Lytton...

[Enophile]

1996 Ridge, Syrah, Lytton Estate - Very intense, grapey nose, with lots of sweet blackberry fruit, black pepper, smoke, floral, and lots of oak, including dill, whiskey, and harsh wood aromas. Same in the mouth, with wonderful, jammy, blackberry fruit, black pepper, flowers, and lots of whiskey barrel, dill, and harsh wood flavors. The fruit is excellent in this wine, but I'm wondering if it will ever shine over the oak?
I hate to see fruit this good take a back seat to wood flavors. Approx..85-87.