The 2011 Syrah is an outstanding wine that evokes the elegance of the Rhone Valley with that of the Rhone Ranger in California. But it also shows a true Tuscan heart with warm climate tones of ripe blackberry and spice. The wine’s appearance is inky black and its long list of aromas include cured meat, barbecue spice, grilled herb, black mineral and blackberry pie. There’s even a balsamic note of cola or rosemary oil that pops at the end. You can count on a long drinking window with this gorgeous Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035. Stefano Frascolla and Tua Rita have almost single-handedly put Suvereto on Italy’s winemaking map. His latest releases are nothing short of spectacular. Importer: Winebow Inc.; www.winebow.com

I tasted this wine as part of a vertical tasting and masterclass I headed at our Matter of Taste event in Zurich in early 2019. Because we did not have a review in our database of the 2010 Syrah (the wine was not given the name "Per Sempre" back then), I decided to add it. This is a beautifully fleshed-out and mature expression of Syrah with dark, tarry notes that cede to dried cherry, spice and savory leather. The wine is traveling nicely along its evolutionary tract, and it still has the fiber and freshness to endure more bottle age.

The 2009 Syrah is a bit underwhelming in this vintage. Dark cherries, plums, sweet spices, blackberries, camphor and licorice flesh out in the glass, but there is little in the way of varietal character or complexity. There is plenty of size in the 2009, but distinct elements of jamminess and sweetness detract from the wine’s overall balance. Since its introduction a few years ago, Tua Rita’s Syrah has given the flagship Redigaffi a run for its money, but the 2009 falls quite a bit short next to the finest vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. This is another fabulous set of wines from Tua Rita, with the exception of the Syrah, which falls a bit short of its customary level. To be honest, these days I am increasingly drawn to the entry and mid-level wines at Tua Rita because of their very favorable pricing and overall value. The biggest news at Tua Rita is the return of original consulting oenologist Luca D’Attoma, who oversaw much of the planting and made the first vintages. A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

The 2008 Syrah is a big, expressive wine loaded with varietal character. Iron, minerals, bacon fat and blackberries are just some of the nuances that blossom in this striking wine. All of the aromas and flavors build towards the exciting, viscerally thrilling finish. I have said it before, and I will say it again. The Syrah is the most distinctive wine at Tua Rita. This is a great, great bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028. This is a fabulous set of wines from Stefano Frascolla and Tua Rita. The 2008s show the real class of the year in Maremma. A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620