Some Syrahs on a Saturday afternoon

Loretta Paganini School fo Cooking
Tasted Saturday, January 10, 2015 by Loren Sonkin with 443 views

Introduction

The local cooking school has started up again for the term. A group of met for lunch which is BYO. This weeks theme was Syrah. The wines were consumed non-blind over the course of a couple hours along with a 5 course lunch. While there is rarely unanimity in the wines, this theme seemed to have more controversy than normal. And it was just along stylistic lines either, for whatever reason, some wines showed well to some and not to others. Maybe it was the 0F temps outside and our tastebuds have frozen. In any event, it was a very fun afternoon and a great start to the season.

Flight 1 - A white starter: (1 Note)

Flight 2 - The Syrah Flight: (12 Notes)

  • 2010 Flam Syrah Reserve 91 Points

    Israel, Galilee

    Purple in color. The nose is nice with boysenberries and white pepper. Slight earthy notes. The palate matches the nose. Nice acidity. Not a ton of fruit but balanced. Nice finish.

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  • 2005 Domaine des Rémizières Hermitage Cuvée Émilie 92 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    Someone had this was open. Nope. Shut down tight. I left a pour in a glass for an hour to get it to open. There is some left in the bottle to revisit. After an hour, the nose shows pepper, grilled meats, black raspberries and scorched earth. Complex and deep with a lush texture. Nice acidity. I would hold these for five years based on this bottle.

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  • 2007 Jaffurs Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    This is very tight. Needs a few more years minimum. Inky purple in color. The nose is black raspberries, black pepper, gamey meat and floral notes. Lush, juicy texture. Lots of depth with deep fruit. Takes some coaxing. Lovely balance.

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  • 2003 Clos Mimi Syrah Shell Creek 93 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Classic Clos Mimi wine. Not for everyone. Inky purple in color. Black raspberries, black licorice and pepper on the nose. There is a strong backbone on acidity. This still drinks young on the palate. Lush, intense black raspberry fruit along with a broad streak of black raspberry as well. Some found it too acidic others too flat. Wild ride as always.

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  • 2002 Ojai Syrah Thompson Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Another wine that was tight as a nun's knees (if you will forgive the expression). Purple in color. I let this sit in a glass for over an hour and eventually it opened up. The nose has grilled meats and herbs, with black raspberries. Unctuous texture. Nice acidity. This has a decade in it at least. Great fruit but took a long time to come out to play.

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  • 2010 Cayuse Syrah Armada Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has bacon fat, boysenberries and licorice. Very soft and little structure. My wife commented on that. It lacked the acidity that most of the other wines had. That said, it had generous fruit and was delicious. Already showing a lot of complexity and development. Lots of blueberry fruit on the palate in addition to the boysenberries.

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  • 2010 Pax Syrah Griffin's Lair 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Very nice showing for this wine. The nose has charred earth, black raspberries and grilled herbs. On the palate, there is a very nice chalky quality that is intriguing. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Complex. Delicious. I don't think I have had this recent a Pax (since he got his name back) and this was much more expressive than I expected.

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  • 2011 Peay Vineyards Syrah La Bruma 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    This is a nice accessible and easy going Syrah. Cool electric purple in color. I liked it but didn't love it. Had some lovely northern Rhone qualities such as black olives and herbs on the nose along with raspberries. Tart acidity. Not as much depth as most of the wines. Drinking really well now.

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  • 2005 Agharta Wines Black Label 89 Points

    USA, California, North Coast

    Seemed to be split among the group. Some found it great, others found it wanting. I guess I was in the later camp. The nose seemed simple to me, black raspberries. On the palate, I kept waiting for it to kick into gear, but it never did. Don't get me wrong, its very good. I guess I just had higher expectations that this did not live up to. So it goes. As I said, some seemed to really like it.

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  • 2008 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

    Continuing in my hit or miss with Alban. Sometimes I love them and other times, they just don't get there for me. The nose has prunes and lots of oak on the palate. Also plenty of black raspberries. On the palate, there is a lot of depth but also a lot of oak and a bit of heat. It is enjoyable wit plenty of black fruit. Lacks precision though.

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  • 2011 Jaffurs Syrah Larner Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Really nice showing for this wine. The nose has black raspberries black olives, and black pepper. On the palate, this is drinking well now. Unusual for a Jaffurs to be so accessible young, I think the vintage wins out. Still, it is a top notch Syrah for a 2011 and something to drink while waiting on the other vintages. I was pleasantly surprised.

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  • 2012 La Vrille et le Papillon Ardèche Z Rouge 91 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Ardèche

    Interesting wine. Never had it before IIRC. The nose has black raspberries, black tea and licorice. On the palate, there are some medium tannins here. Black raspberry fruit. Thinner texture. Strong acidity. Young but showing some depth. Wait a few years.

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Closing

Next week: Cabernet Sauvignon

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