I'm being offered 2005 and 2006 pre-sell syrahs from the Russian River Valley and neighboring AVAs, but I can't find any evaluations for these vintages for syrah. Any help or suggestions?

Vintage of the Century.

Each one of course.

I've never found vintage to play a very big role across the board with California syrah, the way it does with California cabs. Good ones like Alban, Pax, Shafer, Peay and Bonaccorsi seem to be very good every year in recent years. If you've had good experiences with the wines you're buying, seen good reviews, or whatever, I wouldn't worry too much about the vintages per se. Just my two cents.