4/22/2018 - syrahiously Likes this wine:

Quick note only. Much less fruit forward than the 2009 and more complex than the 2010. This is my favorite of the three. I’m still holding my 2008 bottles so I cannot compare. Definitely in a nice place now and should hold a few more years.

7/26/2017 - syrahiously Likes this wine:

Drinking nicely, if not a bit flat, with no decant. Ripeness of its younger days has blown off. Nose is muted fruit with subtle spice. Finish is slightly tannic. Consumed at cellar temp. Drink now - 2018.

11/12/2016 - syrahiously Likes this wine:

It has been about 4.5 years since I first tried this wine. It still needs at least an hour decant for the heat to blow off. With some time, the ripeness gives way to the dark fruit flavors. Works pretty well with a simple cheese pizza. Drink now through 2020+

12/9/2014 - syrahiously wrote:

Better on Day 3. I have held back on a score because this bottle was all over the place re: nose and taste.

9/25/2014 - syrahiously wrote:

Light-bodied with a subtle spice on the finish. Good value.

8/28/2014 - syrahiously wrote:

89+. Holds up well on Day 2 and 3. Drink or hold. QPR is fantastic.

8/10/2014 - syrahiously wrote:

Very fruit forward on day 1. Much more balanced and enjoyable on day 2. Drink or hold.

4/22/2014 - syrahiously wrote:

89+

3/13/2014 - syrahiously wrote:

Very well-done Pinot at this price point. Typical fruit forward, light-bodied OR Pinot. Finish is a bit acidic for my liking, but otherwise a well balanced wine.

1/15/2014 - syrahiously wrote:

PnP. Well balanced with a smooth, long finish. Perfect amount of spice that should pair well with spicy meats or pizza. Also a good candidate as a stand-alone daily drinker. Excellent QPR. Will seek out additional bottles. 89+

1/10/2014 - syrahiously wrote:

89+

10/22/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Seemed a bit tight. Otherwise, a good everyday wine with or without food.

10/22/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Consistent with previous bottle. Drinking extremely well now.

10/22/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Fantastic QPR. Does not hold up well past Day 2.

5/17/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Nice earthy notes; a bit thin on the finish.

10/9/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Complex nose with dark fruits, herbs and spice. Light-to-Medium body and finish. Very good CdR. 88+

10/7/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Overall, a well-balanced CdR with a great QPR at $14. A bit hot with a short finish one Day 1. Much more put together on Day 2, but still on the light side.

10/4/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Oxidized. Seepage past cork.

8/30/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Nice balance of fruits; not overly bubbly or dry.

7/20/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Simply stunning. This vino is in a great place right now. I had my first sip after the bottle was opened for about 30 minutes and finally had the opportunity to enjoy a glass about an hour later. Bold, yet smooth and complex flavors for a CA Pinot. Served with a variety of seafood, and grilled poultry, meat and vegetables. This bottle was a great match for the diverse flavors that were a part of a mid-summer meal. Opened at cellar temperature of 55F and kept chilled throughout the meal. I would not hesitate to pick up another few bottles at the $40 - 45 mark (if I could find some).

6/7/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Great depth and structure yet not too heavy. Daily drinker or pair with most foods. Should not disappoint at this price point.

6/10/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Good QPR. Pairs well with burgers and holds up well with rich, spicy dishes. Same Malbec currently offered by the glass at my local Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

5/23/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Pleasant nose. Lacks overall depth and is a bit flat on the finish. Still a decent value as a daily drinker.

5/17/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Held its own as a mixer for Mother's Day Mimosas

5/17/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

This Syrah is really starting to come into its own. I popped this bottle and let it sit for about 30 minutes before my first glass. Much of the upfront ripeness noted in my TNs from about a year ago has disappeared. The pepper, smoke and bacon notes are now at the forefront of the nose. I'll see how things develop on Day 2.

5/17/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

I've enjoyed the first three bottles of the 2010 vintage very casually. Compared to the 2009 vintage, this wine is a bit softer and more approachable out of the gate and if tasted side by side will likely be the bottle that will appeal to the masses. Very enjoyable and pairs very well with grilled meats. I'll expand on my TNs after I give my remaining bottles a bit more time in the cellar.

5/10/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Lacking the body and depth I hope for from a Malbec. Nice bit of earthyness that I do not normally associate with this grape. Short finish.

2/20/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Rating based upon Day 1. Vino is beginning to fall flat, but still has those earthy notes that I enjoy. Wine was stored in a corked decanter until Day 3, at which point it had oxidized and was practically undrinkable. I would not hold any longer.

1/16/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

4 bottles left. Too easy to drink. Delicious with or without food. Excellent spice, structure and depth with an medium finish. Holds up well to grilled meats and spicy italian dishes. What a value for $8 a bottle!

1/5/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Similar notes to mine from almost one year ago. This bottle seemed to have less body and structure than the last. A bit sweeter than I remember this time on Day 2. For these reasons, I have to agree with other recent TNs that it is time to drink this Pinot.

1/2/2013 - syrahiously wrote:

Decanted for 1 hour. Day 1: Overripe prunes on the nose and overly sweet on the pallette. Overall, this bottle was extremely disjointed, lacking most Syrah characteristics. Not sure that the plastic cork did this wine any favors. Probably acquired and consumed outside of the drinking window. Wine was practically undrinkable on Day 3 having been stored in a sealed decanter...the last glass went down the drain. At least the cost was only $7.00.

12/21/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Consistant with previous notes. One bottle left hat I will hold until next spring.

12/21/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Excellent value. Recommended daily drinker

11/23/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Shared 1.5L with family at Thanksgiving dinner. Banshee Pinot never fails to please. A relatively light CA Pinot, but with enough structure and depth to pair well with the typical rich flavors that a "Fall season" meal tends to be comprised of. Starts off a bit sweet, ends with a smooth, medium finish.

10/18/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Great value Côtes du Rhône. Love the earthy notes and spice. Good balance of flavors.

10/8/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

This is a solid value daily drinker. Nice nose of strawberries; good tannic structure with medium finish. Pairs well with most food or just sip away. This time from a 1.5L.

9/28/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Simplistic flavors on the palette with noticeable tannins; not much complexity or body, with a short-to-medium finish. This 2009 effort is disappointing when compared with the 2008 vintage. Quite drinkable and a decent value.

9/27/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Dark ruby in color. Nose of dark fruits. Not very complex and a bit light with minimal spice. Extremely drinkable. Medium, dry finish.

9/21/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Light in color but full of body and depth. Delightful nose and a silky feel on the palete. Great touch of spice and earthy tones. Medium to long finish.

9/8/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Deep, dark fruits with incredible spice. Consistent with notes from a previous (half) bottle, time in the glass bodes well for this wine as far as complexity and integration. However, by the end of a two-hour dinner, the wine was extremely dry on the finish. These notes are based on a 750ml P&P just above cellar temps. I am far more impressed with the 2006 DeLille Syrah. Unclear to me how this 2007 will develop, but I will hold my last bottle for about a year.

8/27/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Cork was dried out and cracked and split into pieces upon removal. Wine was terribly bitter and nothing like the previous two bottles consumed.

8/23/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

See my previous TNs. Great spice too. Must get more!

8/7/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Great value daily drinker.

8/1/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Consistent TNs. Better when paired with bold flavored foods, and on Day 2. Very enjoyable.

8/1/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Fruit forward with a bit of a bite. Held its own over the course of three days. Good wine to sip or pair with food.

7/27/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Too easy to drink. Excellent. Consistant with prior TNs. 375ml

7/9/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Score is based on Day 2, when things seemed to settle down. Not very complex. Very fruit forward. Awkward nose of grass and earth on Day 1. This is very heavy for a Pinot; if tasted blind I would have pegged it as a blend. Not really my taste, so I do not get the 90+ scores here.

6/29/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

TNs in line with previous bottles. Popped, poured and let first glass breath for just under an hour. Stored wine in corked bottle until Day 2. Again, this Syrah seems to integrate and settle down, and is much better, by Day 2. 91+

6/27/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

I really enjoyed this bottle. Still drinking well, but the flavors seemed to fall a bit flat; I suspect that the vino may be past its peak. With that said, this is an easy going daily drinker with some great spice and earthy notes with a medium finish. Drink up!

6/27/2012 - syrahiously wrote:

Fruit forward and well balanced. Medium-to-long finish. Another great value Pinot from Banshee.