February 23, 2013 - impressed ,will get better a lot, still very good, makes you want to drink syrahs again
November 3, 2012 - Really a nice bottle of wine that changes from smoke and charcol to smooth interesting. This bottle didn't change when it was open as much as previous. To me it just felt like it was getting tired. This was not a bad bottle it just wasn't the same bottle that kept me wanting more a year ago. Drink NOW!
March 28, 2012 - Decanted briefly. Deep dark ruby to purple color. Smoky bacon, blackberries, fresh flowers, black pepper, peach pit, and some earthiness on the unusual but very nice nose. Medium to full body with soft, ripe tannins and decent good acidity. I assume it's the bit of viognier that is adding the exotic peach notes to the wine, they are different but very nice, they are even easily noticeable on the palate. Besides the peach on the palate there are smoky, meaty, peppery berries. Finish is a touch short. A very different but nice wine, at least to me it is. I wouldn't hold for too much longer.
March 27, 2012 - The nose on this wine would lend more towards a Bordeaux than a Syrah. With about 2 hours of air this wine blows off the initial smokey smell to bring forward a nice array of fruits. I feel like this one is possibly starting to tail off compared to my previous bottle. This was excellent with my bacon wrapped smoked pork loin. This is a nice wine that should be drank over the next 6-12 months.
January 15, 2012 - Reds Blind; 1/15/2012-1/16/2012 (Haslams House): Guessed a bordeaux blend blind! Tobacco / smoke / blackberry on nose (old world nose) with new world (fruit forward - sweet cherry / vanilla) palate - full body and tannins integrated but clipped finish. 87+/-
January 15, 2012 - Nose smelled like firewood, charred meat would be generous. Would no have pegged South Africe after 2 hours decanted, more typical after 3.5 hours of air. Nice mouthfeel and fruit, but no finish. Big difference from the first bottle I opened.
July 25, 2011 - if only all syrahs were like this . wow factor , smooth earthy, light pepper, soft tannins, full body
May 22, 2011 - as advertised excellent syrah, light onthe pepperlarge on smooth and full bodied
May 7, 2010 - Popped and poured. This was great. Had that usual smokiness flavor that I've come to expect from SA red wines.
February 17, 2010 - Very enjoyable Syrah. Long finish, silky, good mouthfeel. Fruit was luscious. Enjoyed better than the Rudi Schultz. Complex, although not to the level of superb. K liked, but not as much as I did.