World Class Syrahs Offline

Six of us gathered for a world wide syrah tasting featuring a number of highly rated syrahs. Each of these wines had been rated at least 94pts, and three of the six 98pts, or more by at least one of the top critics.

• 2006 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett 92 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Medium gold color. Pop and pour, drank small glass over 15 minutes. I didn't get a lot of time to examine this closely as the reds came fairly quickly upon my arrival, but I must say it was oretty captivating. Vibrant on the nose and palate with bright fruits, peach, tropicals, modest fusil and plenty of stony minerals. The palate really has nice acidity and brings forth a sweetness that surpasses its kabinett level. Long finish. Really drinking nicely.

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• 1998 M. Chapoutier Côte-Rôtie La Mordorée 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Dark red color, mild bricking on margins. Splash decanted and returned to bottle. Drank 1+ glass over 2 hours. I really enjoyed the nose on this, very mature Bordeauxesque. Nose has wonderful funk and damp earth, perfumed, wood spice, red fruits. The palate however can't back up that nose. The palate is tart, and thin on the mid palate and finish, red fruit, high acid with some tannin that is no longer supported by the fruit. This was no where near as good as the last time I had this wine. An issue with provenance or the wine fading? I suspect provenance and maybe bottle variation. The nose would warrant a 92 and the palate about an 88-89, and the result is 90pts overall.

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• 2009 Delas Frères Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  purple red color. 4hr decant, drank 1 glass over 3 hours. Obviously this is ridiculously young, interesting nonetheless to experience at this point. Nose is tight, very green, aromatic, black fruits, after a while shows hints of a sweet ripe fruits. The palate does show some non-descript dense jammy red and black fruit, still overtly green, glycerin, grippy tannins. It is hard to evaluate this wine currently, it is not in a good place. It reeks of a green and vegetal aromatics right now. I suspect that with time this will settle and integrate. Tonight i would not give this 90 points, score is based on potential to improve over time: hence the 90(?)pt score. But I am not convinced it will exceed that level. Only time will tell.

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• 2001 Greenock Creek Shiraz Apricot Block 93 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Very dark red=purple color. Decanted for 3 hours and vinturied twice, drank 1+ glasses over 3 hours. Nose is big, showing blackberry liqueur, spice, pepper, later black cherry, sweet fruits, plum. The palate is big and dense, full bodied and spicy with lots of aromatics amdidst layers of black fruits. Licorice, blackberry liqueur, cassis, a hint of blueberry over time, round, round tannins. Drinking rather young yet and improving with time in the glass despite a significant decant. Long spicy finish. My and group #2 WOTN by a hair over the Lillian 2007.

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• 2001 Yalumba Shiraz The Octavius 94 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Very dark red color. Decanted for 30 minutes, drank 1+ glasses over 3 hours. Nose is lovely with an sweet Andes mint note, chocolate, light espresso, cedar, blackberry and black cherry. While the nose is lovely, it is the palate that really shines here. Velvety and very elegant, integrated and balanced with blackberry and blueberry, spice, subtle pepper, very long on the finish. Wow, this impresses. This is what syrah should be, not an over the top alcoholic monster. My and group WOTN 94+pts to 95pts. Very classy.

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• 2006 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Very dark, purple red color. Decanted for 4 hours, drank 1 glass over 3 hours plus. Nose is hugely aromatic, big, green, meaty, savory, herbal, black fruits. The palate is rather tart, full bodied with deep black fruits, nice acid and structure here, vibrant fruit, earth later, giving way to a very spicy green palate with loads of glycerin. While I recognize many desireable elements in this wine, I find it far too unpleasantly aromatic and vegetal to enjoy thoroughly. Whether this can calm down and integrate remians to be seen, but my hunch is that stylistically it is just not my type. The 91pts is somewhat generous in my mind, it is a composite of the evening. This is not a wine I can recommend.

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• 2007 Lillian Winery Syrah 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Very dark red purple color. Decanted for 4 hours, drank 1+ glass over 3 hours. Initially I was not particularly enamored by this wine. Having had it before, I expected it to improve in the glass and it did not disappoint. The nose starts off quite herbal, but slowly evolves to a more integrate suave wine with ripe blackberry and dark cherry/berrry notes, with licorice, olive and spice. The palate becomes consistent, very smooth, and layered with ripe black fruits, exotic spices, sweet tannins and a long layered finish. This get the vote for most improved wine in the glass tonight, along with my 3rd place and group 3rd WOTN. Very young and in need of cellar time or a long decant.

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• 1988 Château Suduiraut 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Light amber color. Drank 1 small glass over 15 minutes. Both the nose and palate are rather introverted and subtle. I suspect that this is past its prime thought it may be an off bottle. The nose is soft with botrytis spice, apricot and hints of peach. The palate is subdued, lacking vibrancy. The acid is flaccid and the sweet fruit seems to have faded, chalky minerals on the palate. Given that criticism, it still is a decent drink. 88-89pts.

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WOTN was the 2001 Yalumba Octavius (3+3+3+3+2+1.5=15.5pts)
#2 WOTN was the 2001Greenock Creek Apricot Block (3+2+2+1.5+1+1=10.5pts)
#3 WOTN was the 2007 Lillian Syrah (3+2+2+1+1=9pts)