Pacific Pointe Wine Tasting Club - Syrah Night
Tony and Helen's Home
Tasted Friday, September 9, 2011 by Martin Redmond with 495 views
Introduction
At the most recent meeting of the Pacific Pointe Wine Tasting Club it was Syrah night. However, for the first time, we encountered a situation where one of the wines to be tasted was not the selected varietal. That's because it didn't meet the at least 75% threshold for a wine to be labeled a particular grape varietal, in this case Syrah. One of the wines was 62% Syrah. The wine was inadvertently purchased in the "Syrah/Shiraz" section of a local wine store.
The thing is, we didn't realize that until we'd tasted through all the wines. We decided to "disqualify" the Syrah blend from the competition, since it was Syrah Night. So we ended up with 7 contenders, and 1 pretender!
Before we embarked upon the wine tasting, we had a bite to eat, potluck style. In addition to the featured dish of the night, Arroz Con Constra Paella, our hosts also provided Prosecco, Rosé, and a Pinot Noir to prepare our palates for tasting. Aside from the usual assortment of cheese, crackers and a vegetable platter, we enjoyed homemade meatballs, Beef Bourguignon, and a couple of different types of pizza.
Flight 1 - The Contenders (7 Notes)
After a bite to eat, and some wonderful fellowship, it was time for some serious fun tasting the wines. All the wines were blind tasted. There were 12 tasters. The contenders tasted, the order in which they finished, and my corresponding tasting notes follow:
Flight 2 - The Pretender (1 Note)
As for the pretender, it was actually the highest scoring wine of the night with an average score of 91 points.
Closing
It was another great night of wine tasting fun and learning about wine. I think we'll do Syrah blends at one of our future meetings!
2006 Rosenblum Cellars Syrah England-Shaw 88 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Solano County
Dark garnet color with black fruit, black currant aromas. On the palate fruit forward, medium-bodied with blackberry, black currant, vanilla, and spice flavors. Medium-long finish
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2007 Everett Ridge Syrah Estate 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Dark garnet color with dark red fruit, currant, and a hint of baking spice aromas. On the palate approaching medium-bodied with firm tannins, and somewhat candied dark red fruit, vanilla, and black currant flavors. Medium finish
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2008 Jim Barry Shiraz The Lodge Hill 87 Points
Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
Deep violet color with dark red fruit, and a hint of bittersweet chocolate aromas. A bit warm upon opening. On the palate, medium bodied with nicely integrated tannins with blackberry, and vanilla flavors. Medium long finish
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2002 Robert Hall Syrah 89 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Garnet color with black fruit, herbs, and cigar box aromas. On the palate, fruity, but balanced with black currant, vanilla, and spice flavors. Medium-long finish
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2008 Astrale e Terra Syrah 85 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Violet color with dark red fruit, oak aromas. Warm nose. On the palate thin, light-bodied, with black cherry, and vanilla flavors. Short-medium finish.
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2007 Charles Cimicky Shiraz Trumps 89 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Dark garnet color with black cherry, earth and clove aromas. Medium bodied with black cherry, vanilla, and spice flavors. Medium long finish.
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2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Syrah 86 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Garnet color with black fruit and tar aromas. On the palate medium-bodied, and smooth with cherry, vanilla, and mineral flavors. Medium finish
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