Nepotism.

I'm a big fan of it, Nepotism. So here's my husband's wine!! This is, unfortunately, a terrible photo that doesn't do justice to the label art - but blame it on the iPhone.

I know it seems weird to recommend a Syrah in July, but not so weird because I think any great quality wine should be refreshing and Piedrasassi is no exception. 

Piedra means rock in Spanish and Sassi means stone in Italian. It's a reference to the winemaker's names, my Peter and Sashi Moorman, his partner.  

The grapes are sourced from 5 vineyards in the Central Coast, which is nice because they blend some really warm climate fruit (from Paso) with some cooler climate fruit. All the lots are fermented separately in new French Oak - which integrates the oak very early on keeping it from being too bombastic and creamy. The 2005 was kept in barrel for 30 months, but it's is not overly extracted or cloyingly sweet like so many Syrahs from the Central Coast. I think it's very minerally, smoky and gamey with intensity of black fruit. Like souped up syrah from the Northern Rhone. 

The 2004 vintage is $55.99 at Larchmont Wine and Spirits. The 2005 is available at Fraiche and aoc by the bottle for around $100, and at the Wine House. 92 pts. RP (not that anyone cares!)