Herdade Monte do Outeiro Alentejo Monte Cruz Syrah

4 hour decant. No signs of age - deeply purple - tight nose - deep, full, rich, but not exactly classic Syrah - hints of sour - pretty good finish - nice wine.

4 hour decant. 14%. Só Syrah. We end our "2009 Só Syrah" trilogy with this chap - deep purple - stringy legs - tight and hot in the nose, not giving much away - full in the mouth, slightly rough, fairly lightweight - not especially flavoursome, but pleasant in a restrained sort of way - fairly short. The Cem Reis is the best of these three by a country mile.

4 hour decant. 100% Syrah. 14% Nice, if somewhat sour, Syrah - deep purple with a pink rim - hot dark fruit in the nose - full-on in the mouth - edgy with a nice balance and a very long finish - nice wine.

Purple, heady nose, rich rounded fruits, nice attack, finishing long and steady - very nice pure Syrah - might well grow even better over the next few years.