Last night (Tuesday, Sept. 24), the Sons of Bacchus (S.O.B.s), with two Daughters of Dionysus, got together at Kevin Pogue's home for a tasting of "Awe-inspiring" Syrahs from anywhere in the world. Wines were poured blind from all over the world: Australia, the Rhone Valley, Washington, California and even Idaho. There were sixteen wines in all, in four flights of four. Here are the top wines, followed by other outstanding and noteworthy wines, with my notes.

2010 Sleight of Hand Cellars "Funkadelic" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley. - Here the "Rocks" of the South Valley really rocked. Deep crimson colored, it offered a lseductive nose of wild raspberries, cherries, cassis, black roses, violetsand spiced incense. The flavors were thick and mouthfilling, with chocolate, Sumatra roast and Rocks minerals, followed by a richly testured dryish finish. 19.5/20 points.

2007 Reynvaan "The Contender" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - Brilliant ruby colored, this emited aromas of wild berries, plum, cassis and earth. The flavors were thick and almost jammy, underlain with chocolate, French roast and "Rocks" earth and minerals. The back revealed sensations of squeezed berries, creme de cassis and plum presrves, followed by a lingering fruit and terroir driven finish. 19.5/20 points.

2004 Basel Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley - Trey Busch was a double winner with his Funkadelic (above) and this, which he made while on his stint before starting Sleight of Hand. Composed of Lewis, Portteus and Minick fruit, it showed a deep ruby-garnet color and a spicy nose of raspberry, cassis, incense and oriental perfumes. The flavors were deep and penetrating, with fine varieal purity and minerality. The lingering finish showed considerable oak (70% new) for a Syrah. 19.5/20 points.

2005 Koenig Vineyards Syrah, Cuvée Amelia, Snake River - This was a surprise winner from Idaho. It displayed an opaque ruby color and intense, brooding aromas of black fruits, dried cherries and incense. The dark fruit flavors were deep and full-bore, exuding pure Syrah varietal character, followed by an intense, minerally finish. 19.5/20 points.

The following four were among my favorites:

2011 Silverback Vineyards Reserve Syrah, Columbia Valley - Here, Charles Herrold's wine, produced from two barrels, showed an opaque ruby color and smoldering aromas of wild blackberries, black cherries and black currants. The massive flavors were deep and full-bore, with a meaty, earth texture and great varietal purity. The finish was long, intense and spicy. 19.5/20 points.

2009 Reynvaan "Stonessence" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - This was, coincidentally, in the same flight as the 2007 Contender, above. The group consensus favored the '07, but I preferred the '09, both served blind. It exhibited a deep ruby color and rich aromas of raspberries, cherries, cassis, orange peel, crushed roses and smoldering incense. The flavors were chewy textured and lavish, with notes of charcoal and spiced dark fruits. The back picked up notes of kirsch liqueur and creme de cassis, followed by a lingering "Rocks" mineral finish. 19.5/20 points.

2005 Lillian Syrah, Santa Barbara County - This entry from California showed a deep ruby color and the aromas showed the feminine side of Syrah, with wild berries and ethereal oriental perfumes and incense. The deep, brawny flavors, however belied the femininity, with the dark fruits underlain with chocolate, roast coffee and a finish that went on and on. 19+/20 points.

2007 Domaine Muginis Crozes-Hermitage, Cuvée Amedienne - This North Rhone Syrah showed a deep, semi-opaque crimson color and elegantly perfumed aromas of blackberry, cherry, cassis, crushed roses, tobacco and violets. On the palate, the flavors were thich and sweetish, with notes of licorice and French roast. The finish was long and intense with typical minerality and earthiness. 19+/20 points.

After the tasting, there was a bonus wine:

2004 Cayuse "Bionic Frog" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - This was an awesome wine. Deep colored, with aromas of roasted berries and nuts, smoldering incense and violets, it was thick and chewy. The intensity reflected the low yields of the 2004 vintage. The back revealed notes of dried fruits, orange peel, roasted meats and burnt charcoal, with a long, rich finish. 19.5+/20 points.

This was one of the best S.O.B. tastings ever, with truly "Awe-inspiring" wines.