Monthly Tasting Group HWS #086; Syrah/Shiraz worldwide.

Every participant had to bring a wine of the theme. We did not know which wines were brought by the others. All wines were tasted blind, also without knowing when the wine you brought was poured.

• 2006 J.L. Chave Sélection Hermitage Farconnet 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Slightly carmine rim. In the bouquet ripe cherries, raspberries and herbs and spices. On the palate dark and red fruits, some leather and minerals, firm acidity and sticky tannin. Certainly a very good wine, but overall it lacks a bit in finesse. Early maturity now.

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• 2008 Mullineux Syrah 89 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland

  Still purple in the color. The bouquet is still a bit reticent, but there are cherries and blackberries. On the palate lush and ripe dark fruits, a lot of pepper, some green herbs, flint stone minerals and smoke. Good balance between sweetness and acidity.

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• 2009 Ventisquero Syrah Grey Single Block 89 Points

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley

  Intense bouquet with coffee and chocolate. On the palate an expressive wine with black cherries and blackberries, sweet spices, herbs, chocolate, espresso and vanilla. Soft acidity and smooth tannin. Everything in its proper place in this wine, but it is not really exiting. 88-89 for tonight and I think the wine is ready now, but no real hurry.

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• 2005 Ojai Syrah Verna's Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Quite dark red with a purple hue. Expressive bouquet with ripe blackberries, coffee, chocolate, vanilla and herbs. On the palate a sweet start with some eucalyptus, dark fruits, chocolate and a lot of vanilla. Good acidity and powdery tannin. Beautiful wine. Ready now and a future at least until 2016.

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• 2005 Mitolo Shiraz Savitar 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Beautiful bouquet with ripe blackberries, good oak and some sweetness. On the palate lush ripe dark fruits like blackberry. Also some chocolate. Beautiful balance between sweetness and acidity. Round tannin. Good freshness. A bit heat in the finish. Ready now and the next few years.

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• 2010 Corette Syrah Vin de Pays d'Oc 85 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc

  In the bouquet red fruits, some cherry yoghurt, herbs and spices, jasmine and some minerals. On the palate cherries and raspberries, some oak, and some sweetness in the finish. Medium bodied at best. The wine lacks concentration.

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• 2006 Craggy Range Syrah Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Block 14 88 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels

  In the bouquet minerals, red and dark fruits like cherries and blackberries, garrigue and pepper. On the palate red forest fruits, cherries, some licorice, soft acidity and a touch of sweetness. Soft tannin with a bite. Good freshness and length. Ready now and the next few years.

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• 2006 Luddite Wines Shiraz

  South Africa, Cape South Coast, Walker Bay, Bot River

  Carmine brown rim. Mature bouquet with sweet spices and chocolate. On the palate a lot of sweet spices, a bit oxidized, meaty and a bit alcoholic. Not really pleasant. The owner of this bottle told he kept the bottle under perfect conditions since he bought the bottle two years ago, so I don't know what to think. This bottle was too old already…. No score.

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• 2006 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley 93 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Ruby red. Beautiful bouquet with ripe red and dark forest fruits and some sweetness. On the palate a concentrated wine with a lot of sweetness, ripe dark forest fruits, mint, sweet spices, cinnamon and also a very good amount of pleasant acidity and soft tannin. Overall a beautiful and harmonious wine with good complexity and finesse. Ready now and with a future of several years. Until 2018 at least.

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• 2007 Enate Somontano Syrah-Shiraz 90 Points

  Spain, Aragón, Somontano

  In the bouquet concentrated ripe black forest fruits, sweet spices, sweet licorice, cinnamon, leather, some garrigue and vanilla. On the palate ripe red and dark fruits, some chocolate, a firm amount of acidity and bitterness and fairly mild tannin. A really nice wine.

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• 2007 Luddite Wines Shiraz 88 Points

  South Africa, Cape South Coast, Walker Bay, Bot River

  Beautiful bouquet with sweet and ripe dark berry fruits and mint. On the palate fairly elegant with red and dark berries, chocolate, vanilla, some mushrooms and a lot of fresh acidity and round tannin. Really well made wine with still a future of several years.

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• 2007 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Beautiful bouquet with ripe dark forest fruits, leather and eucalyptus. On the palate red and dark berries, minerals, fresh red fruit acidity and round tannin which is a bit drying. Well balanced and harmonious wine which has elegance as well. Already a great pleasure, but around 2016 probably a bit better. 91 for this evening.

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• 2010 Stefano Amerighi Syrah Cortona 87 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Cortona

  The color is still purple. In the bouquet primary cherries, herbs, minerals and tea. On the palate a perfumed start with a lot of fresh fruits and some white pepper. Ok acidity and tannin, but the wine is still in its infant stage and needs more time in the bottle. Wait at least another 2 - 3 years. 87+ for this evening.

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• 2009 Matetic Vineyards Syrah 92 Points

  Chile, San Antonio Valley

  The color is almost black. In the bouquet extremely ripe and sweet blackberries and dark cherries, some blueberries and rustic impressions as well. On the palate a mouth full. Ripe and concentrated blackberries and blueberries, good acidity, round tannin and beautifully dosed luxurious oak. A serious blockbuster.

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• 2008 Muratie Wine Estate Shiraz a tribute to ronnie melck family selection 90 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  Garnet red color. Beautiful and mature bouquet with sweet spices and beautiful oak. On the palate a mature wine as well, beautiful sweet spices and sweet licorice, beautiful oak, beautifully fresh acidity as well and melted tannin. The wine is completely ready now. If this bottle is exemplary, it is probably wise to drink the wine before the end of 2016.

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• 2009 Tua Rita Syrah 95 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  To start with my conclusion; this is a WOW! wine. In the bouquet ripe dark forest fruits and luxurious beautifully toasted oak. On the palate a mouth full. Ripe dark berries, minerals, spiciness, beautiful acidity and still very youthful, round tannin. Wait until 2020+.. What a great finish of a beautiful tasting evening.

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