Lots of Syrahs - Nate M visits Cleveland

BBer Nate M. was in town on business and asked me for some suggestions of places to go. One thing led to another and eight of us gathered at a favorite local spot for an amazing dinner of multiple courses. The wine theme was Syrah.

• 2008 Veuve Doussot Champagne Ernestine Millesime 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  A nice opening wine. Light golden in color. Lots of small bubbles. The nose has a nice ginger component along with almond and a bit of yeast. Medium bodied. Nice acidity. Ever so slightly sweet with nice chalkiness. More on the elegant side. Food friendly (duh).

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• 2011 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Always a favorite of mine, this is a Chard in the typical Cal style that manages to bring it all together and it works. The nose has very nice lemon chiffon, some vanilla as well. Full bodied. Great creamy texture. Lots of lemon and vanilla on the palate. Nice acidity. Good finish. There is still some oak showing, but plenty of fruit as well. I would think a few more years will integrate everything but delicious now.

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This was interesting and for me, clearly defined the tastes of everyone there. These were excellent examples of two very distinct styles of wine much less Grenache. I loved them both, but most of the crowd had a distinct flavor.

• 2009 Alban Vineyards Pandora 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  This is proved to be a love it or not type of wine. It is huge, fruit forward with a lot going on. If you like this style, then you loved this wine. Purple in color. The nose has black cherries, kirsch, vanilla, spice and charred wood. There is a lush rich texture. Plenty of dark cherry fruit on the palate. It explodes on the palate. A bit of heat on the finish. Firm tannins. Despite all that, I thought it went just fine with the food (a variation on corn on the cobb). For some, it was too full throttle.

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• 2006 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  This was quite a few people's WOTN. I liked it only slightly less. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has a fair amount of funk/brett which grew with air. There is also raspberry, and spice. Showing a nice complexity at 8 years from vintage, I am not sure this makes really old bones, but no hurry. Layers of red fruits and earth. Nice balance. Also worked with the food.

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• 2006 Le Macchiole Scrio Toscana IGT 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  My first time trying this. It was very interesting. Very much Syrah but with a strong backbone of acidity that is clearly Italian. I did joke that this was my first Tuscan Syrah that was not marked Brunello, but I think it went over most heads. In any event, this was outstanding. Purple in color. The nose has boysenberries, slight oak notes and black pepper. Full bodied. On the palate, there is some strong acidity but it works with the fruit and is very fruit friendly. Perhaps the best food wine of the night. Lots of boysenberry fruit with pepper. Nice finish. A real treat. This got some WOTN consideration from some.

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• 2005 Château Rayas Côtes du Rhône Château de Fonsalette Cuvée Syrah 95 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Just a gorgeous wine and expression of Syrah. Perhaps I liked this best as it is more middle of the road in style (or maybe because I brought it ;-) ). The nose has black raspberries, slight smoke, bacon fat, black pepper. It certainly has many warm climate characteristics, but is not overblown in any way. On the palate, it is juicy with a great lush texture. Complex and layered as it expands in the glass, I think it has many years ahead of it. Beautiful wine. Not cheap but worth it.

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• 2009 Quinta Ferreira Syrah 90 Points

  Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley

  This was very interesting. I don't drink a lot of British Columbia Syrah's. Purple/ruby in color. The nose is nice with a really interesting cherry quality. That cherry quality continued thru the wine to the finish. I am told that the vines are on a former cherry orchard. I wondered if that and/or the cooler climate contributed to this cherry profile. There is also some floral qualities to the nose and slight peppery notes. Medium bodied with a nice acidity. Soft and no tannins. I would drink these sooner than later. There is some complexity in the glass. It is really good and held its own in this flight IMO.

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• 2012 SonkinCellars Unmasked

  USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands

  No score as this is our wine. This had been opened for 60 hours prior to serving while it slow oxed. This is a new wine for us, made for AFWE tastes. 13% Alc. Mostly all Halcon vineyard Syrah. I think most people liked it, but were not AFWE and so were looking for more body and fruit. I think it still needed more time to open up. While I am just getting to know this wine, I think it needs a lot of cellar time or 5 days of slow ox to open. There is, IMO, plenty of black raspberry fruit with lots of minerality. Firm tannins. I hope the others give me some honest feedback. Jeff K said our 2012's were the best and worst so far. I assume this one was the later. That's ok. I know his palate and was not surprised. George C., who also loves a fruit bomb, was glad he only ordered, at my suggestion, the Persona. Personally, I really like it. I thought it worked well with the food due to its acidity. Probably not the best setting in a flight with four other Cal Syrahs, but I though it held its own.

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• 2005 Pax Syrah The Emerald Pool Alder Springs Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County

  This is an older Paw wines from back in the day when both the wines and the bottles were big. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black licorice, black pepper, grilled meats and some alcohol. Full bodied. Great glycerin texture. On the palate, tons of fruit, some oak, firm tannins yet with a nice acidity and enough finesse to pull it all off. Still drinking young, there is some complexity but it is tightly layered. No hurry on these.

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• 2012 Quivet Cellars Syrah Hulda Block Las Madres Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Probably my WOTN along with the Rayas. I always think of Los Madres as a cooler climate vineyard, but this drank warm climate. It is a huge wine and some found it too over the top. Others loved it. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, vanilla, black pepper and charred wood. Lush and rich and full bodied. Enough acidity to be balanced. Lush black raspberry fruit on the palate. Very smooth. No heat. Of course, quite young. very rich but still worked fine with a variety of pastas. Beautiful wine. Even better than the amazing 2011.

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• 2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah Griffin's Lair 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  I think this got "hurt" drinking along side some really big Syrahs. It seems more cool climate. It is young, and just doesn't have the oomph of the Quivet or Pax. Still, it is outstanding and in a few years, on its own, will probably score a few points more. Purple in color. The nose has kirsch, a really nice floral component, a fair amount of rough oak and some vanilla, and spice. On the palate, the frit is more cherries with some oak. Slight heat that I think will integrate with time. This needs cellaring but had lots of potential.

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• 2006 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  There were the usual complaints about the (over)use of oak on the Guigals and I include myself among those complaining, but this is an excellent wine. Black and red raspberries on the nose with oak, spice and vanilla but also a floral quality to it. Medium to full bodied. The palate has black raspberries and is forthright. Nothing hidden here, just lots of black raspberry fruit with some spice and oak. Nice acidity. Worked fine with the food. I don't think it really gets better. The crowd seemed divided.

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• 2009 Domaine Michelas-St. Jemms St. Joseph Sainte-Epine 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph

  Nate had flown in that day and was able to pick this up locally. 2009 was a great vintage IMO in St. Joseph and the wines are pretty accessible from the get go. The nose has cherries and black raspberries along with black licorice, slight violet notes and a nice underlying minerality. This is medium bodied. Lots of nice red fruits on the palate. Some complexity. Good acidity. Hard to go wrong with St. Joseph in 09 and this was no exception. Nice find.

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• 2004 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  I seemed to like this more than the group. Sure, there was a lot of oak still there, but most of it had softened a bit, was not harsh and worked with the fruit. The nose has black raspberries, black olives, vanilla, and slight floral notes. Full bodied. slick texture. The palate has black raspberry fruit, with some charred oak and slight earthiness. Not sure this ever gets better, but perhaps the oak continues to integrate.

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• 2007 Alain Voge Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  I have had this wine a number of times, in fact, this was my 3rd time sharing some with Jeff K., who brought this bottle. He is of the opinion that Cornas needs to be consumed within 10 years. This surprised me and I don't agree. I think this bottle is delicious but its best days are ahead. Black raspberries, roasted meats, slight earthy/truffle note and still some vanilla. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, I don't think this is at peak yet but getting there. Nice tight layering. Good fresh black raspberry fruit. Medium tannins. Nice balance. Pretty wine and not what I would call rustic.

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It was great to meet Nate and to see everyone else. Until next time...