WTN:2005 Koehler Syrah Santa Ynez Valley

Tasted blind in community syrah-tasting. As such quite impressive, arguably stole the show. Good fruit, blueberries, some earth, complex, long finish, even some violets. A touch too sweet and does not show strong varietal character (no bacon, smoked meat notes) were only flaws I detected, but still quite nice, especially for the money (about $25 from LA Wineco on release)!
FYI: The most disappointing wine of the night was the 2005 Domaine Cheze St. Joseph Cuvee des Anges, which, to be fair, I thought was at least a little bit corked. I am curious if others have drunk this recently.

I really enjoyed this wine too, loved the complexity and long finish. Their Magia Nera, a blend of Cab and Sangio, could be Koehler's sleeper wine.
I'm not sure I agree on smokey meats as something I expect from Syrah, but I'm a novice.
My TN's:
2005 Koehler Santa Ynez Valley Syrah
Notes on my visit to Koehler:
Santa Ynez wine tasting- July 2008- Koehler Winery

[Jenise]

I really enjoyed this wine too, loved the complexity and long finish. Their Magia Nera, a blend of Cab and Sangio, could be Koehler's sleeper wine.
I'm not sure I agree on smokey meats as something I expect from Syrah, but I'm a novice.

You rarely get it in California syrahs (though some from the Amador area have shown that), but it's a very common trait in Northern Rhones.