EOTC $15-30 Blind Syrah Tasting
Yuichi & Megan's
Tasted Friday, October 28, 2005 by trankin with 898 views
Introduction
EOTC - largest event yet! $15-30 Blind Syrah Tasting. Yuichi & Megan hosted an excellent event.
Wines served alongside cheese and a spicy cheese fondue, among others.
Paul took control of the pouring here, and kept us all moving along, which was a very good thing given that we had so many wines to taste. We had wines from all over - Can you say Idaho Syrah? Greek Syrah? Excellent representation all over!
We did the tasting in pairs. We paired an old world with a new world wine in each case except one which was 2 new world wines. At the end, we had 2 mystery wines.
Flight 1 - Round One (2 Notes)
Here we pitched a Vacqueyras against a Petite Rousse. This was my first time trying Petite Rousse, and while this was good, it didn't blow me away. I was also convinced that the Mas de Collines was not syrah based but more likely grenache based.
Flight 2 - Round Two (1 Note)
Unfortunately, the first wine in this round, an Herve Souhaut 03, was badly corked. This 04 Petite Rousse was also disappointing - my least favorite of the night. Turns out it's very different in style from the 03. Hard to believe these were the same wine from different vintages.
Flight 3 - Round 3 (2 Notes)
The Greek! Which showed pretty well. And a CA wine which also showed quite well. Now we're warming up.
Flight 4 - Round 4 (2 Notes)
I correctly identified this round as the one with 2 new world wines. I have to say I thought the Cline was beautiful. Very nicely aged, and drinking quite well - really quite different than everything else this night.
Flight 5 - Round 5 (2 Notes)
Somehow they put both of my wines in the same flight. While the Sizeranne was beautiful underneath, it was so light that it didn't really stand up to the others being poured. Apparently it drank much better the next day!
The Rosenblum, however, was a standout. Love that cool climate syrah! Drinking beautifully now, but clearly has a few years to run.
Flight 6 - Round 6 (2 Notes)
Can you say Idaho Syrah??? Actually, it was not bad - held up to some of the others poured tonight.
The Graillot was excellent in my opinion. Had to go out and buy some!
Flight 7 - Round 7 (2 Notes)
A couple of good ones here. Shockingly it was our only Aussie! (Must be because Katrina & Ryan bagged us!)
Flight 8 - Mystery Wines (2 Notes)
Served one at a time. The Pesenti had been decanted for several hours. To me it tasted an awful lot older than it was.
I was thinking in totally the wrong direction on the Aglianico. And I was so bothered that I couldn't figure it out so I didn't take very good notes, or give it a score.
Closing
Quite the evening. I muffed the mystery wines, but greatly enjoyed the tasting. Syrah's one of my favorites, and I was particularly impressed with the wide range syrah could express itself in.
On to the next one!
2001 Le Mas des Collines Vacqueyras 88 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras
Bottle "A". Lt red, thin. Nose of cherries. Light, thin on the palate. Cherry and leather notes.
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2003 Clos Mimi Syrah Petite Rousse 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Bottle "B". Red, with some purple. Medium to full bodied. Not much on the nose. A little tart, a touch sharp but otherwise well balanced. Black cherries and blueberries.
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