Coming from Alban clone Syrah fermented with 50% stems, the 2018 Amphitheater North is a rocking, savory, cool-climate beauty that carries loads of black fruits, tapenade, ground pepper, and earth-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, pure, and balanced on the palate, with building tannins, it’s another remarkable effort from Chris Hammel that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for a decade.