Deep, rich color and a gorgeous Syrah nose of deep blueberry, oil-cured black olives, rosemary and baconfat make a great start. Taste all sorts of berries along with those olives and bacon plus lavender, red curry and baker’s chocolate. I love the solid core of fruit, tang of cool-climate acidity and provocative spicy and “wild” personality of world-class Syrah. There is a synergy of great Syrah vineyard and skilled artisan winemaking that makes this wine shine.
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Owners Ben Brenner and Matt Nagy are doing a great job building Benevolent Neglect slowly but surely into one of the next New California Wine go-to labels. Matt, who’s in charge of winemaking, works at Matthiasson Winery, so the two have a path to reach their goals with their label. These are delicious, unique wines with soul. Rarely do I state that “everything they make is good,” but at BN, well, “EVERYTHING IS GOOD.” Fairly priced too.