TN: 04 Novy & 04 Kosta Browne Amber Ridge Syrah ... 1 corked :-(

Tasted Wednesday, February 6, 2008 by jasonh with 320 views

Introduction

I had tried both of these separately in 2007 and I had previously tasted the KB in June of 06. I really enjoyed the KB on both occasions. Big, primary and expressive. Too young to show much complexity but it did bring a lot of pleasure. I tried the Novy (didn’t take notes) and it just didn’t show much. Since it is a tradition to open a 2004 on my daughter’s birthday … I thought I would try these together now that they are 4 years old … just like her.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 2004 Novy Family Wines Syrah Amber Ridge Flawed

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Slight Reduction. It also showed a Rhoneish quality. After a few minutes I began to worry it was slightly corked. Slightly musty. There is something I occasionally smell on freshly opened Northern Rhones that makes me think TCA. It always goes away. I will wait it out but first I’ll try some. Lots of flavor this time. Bursting with cherry rhubarb pie filling. Raspberry sneaks in on the middle. Just following the mid palate, it is becoming clear it is corked. I hate to make a note on a corked wine so take it for what it is. The wine was much more interesting this go around. Even had some Grange like cherry eucalyptus thing going on. I saved half the bottle and on the next day it was much more clearly corked. But now I am hopeful for my other bottles with the one concern of a fairly large presence of alcohol.

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  • 2004 Kosta Browne Syrah Amber Ridge Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Previously this was wide awake from the moment the bottle was open. Now it is in need of some air. Lots of sweet fruit. This first day it was like jazz fusion. I was wanting it to be a little more straight forward. On the second day, the oak and tannin showed up. I think this is the first time I have noticed tannin on this wine. The fruit is still cranking through and there is just enough acid. This is still a jammy wine. For now, it is disjointed. There is a long heavy finish that shows a lot of heat.

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Closing

I’ll try these two wines together in 2 or 3 years

Cheers,

Jason

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