Lighter in style than previous vintages, the 2016 Syrah Royal City begins with a core of dark fruit with a sturdy oak backbone that gives way to a rocky essence and mineral expression with soft, elegant baking spice notes. Full-bodied, the wine shows a delightful array of spice expressions before exposing complexity with a firm and juicy structure. Flavors of blackberry reduction, compounded by the mineral tension on the long, evolving finish, the wine will last for a couple of decades. It’s a solid wine that has me pleased.    Robert Parkers Wine Advocate 97 points