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Red

1998 Sean Thackrey Orion Rossi Vineyard

Syrah Blend

  • USA
  • California
  • Napa Valley
  • St. Helena
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CT91.6 21 reviews
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Community Tasting Notes 19

  • Odedis.Wine.reviews Likes this wine: 92 points

    October 11, 2022 - Really pretty teeth staining in color.

    Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

    Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

    Showing red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, earth, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, must and peppercorn.

    Long finish with fine grained tannins.

    This 24 year old Syrah is still delicious, but on its last leg. Smooth and elegant. Fruit forward and tasty.

    This Single Vineyard is good right out of the bottle, and better with food.

    I did not decant it, and it didn't last long. I had this vintage a year ago, and it lasted much longer.

    I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

    14.3% alcohol by volume.

    92 points.

    $130.

  • viniferatu Likes this wine:

    January 29, 2022 - Bright color, but nearly opaque at the core, with a wide gradual rim of beautiful garnet, just a bit of red brick on the outer edge, no orange or brown.

    Opens up steadily, fruit building to a crescendo of blue plum, blackcurrant, dried raspberries, tiny tart wild blueberry, tamarind, overripe blood orange, but the main event is a gorgeous olive note accented by thyme, lavender, violet, tobacco, cured meat, so many vague spices and herbs, clear suspicions of smoke and black pepper...

    Tangy and full on the palate, prominent fine-grained tannins, there's a fair amount of grip here but layers of dried dark fruit, olives, spice, flowers gush over the structure in waves, touches of citrus and high toned dried herbs lend brightness.

    Dynamic through the finish, tangy, herbal spicy and savory flavors reverberate, a resinous herb note pulsating past everything else.

    I have to imagine that well stored bottles will continue to evolve positively for at least a few years, but I think the tannins may perhaps never fully integrate and this beauty will one day dry out dramatically. That might take a while though. Stupendous stuff tonight.

  • Odedis.Wine.reviews Likes this wine: 92 points

    December 7, 2021 - A beautiful color of dark ruby with a wide reddish /brick rim.

    Pretty nose of blueberries, cooked raspberries, black plums, currants, licorice, light cedar, wet leaves, black olives, earth, vinaigrette, brine, leather, dried fruits and peppercorn.

    Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity.

    Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, earth, flat cola, vinaigrette, tobacco, herbs, dark chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.

    Medium length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

    This 23 year old Syrah is still drinking nicely, although it is dying rapidly. Showing a nice mouthfeel with nice structure.

    Lasted about an hour and a half, but was very nice throughout that time. Only after 30 minutes of airtime, tannins show up and bring nice structure to the wine. Becomes more acidic as it opens up.

    This aged Napa Syrah is interesting with lots of complexity and a great mouthfeel. Alcohol is well integrated by now.

    Tastes very much like a Napa Syrah. Was probably better 5 years ago, but it's always nice to drink these old wines.

    I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

    14.3% alcohol by volume.

    92 points.

    $130.


    .

  • VAGenius Likes this wine: 92 points

    May 21, 2021 - Sat upright for a week and then decanted for 45 minutes. Opaque purple color looks like a Petite Sirah and does not show this wine's age. Meaty notes and dark fruits on the nose. Complex palate kept changing during the tasting, showing dark black current, dry blackberry, rhubarb, and dusty notes along with a consistent set of Maderia-like components, including caramel, raisn, and Marsala. Smooth polished tannins on the finish with blueberry layers and dried herbs flowing over the Madeira flavors, adding red cherry and acidity at the end. A very unusual wine - far out! 91 points from me and 93 from my wife, so we'll settle at 92.

  • Burgundy729 wrote:

    March 17, 2020 - Amazing wine. Recommend decanting at least 4 hours before consuming.

    2 people found this helpful Comment
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Vinous

  • By Stephen Tanzer
    Sean Thackrey’s Orion: A Complete Retrospective (Apr 2015), 3/1/2015 (link)

    (Sean Thackrey Orion California Native Red Wine Rossi Vineyard St. Helena St. Helena) Subscribe to see review text.

Wine Definition

  • Vintage 1998
  • Type Red
  • Producer Sean Thackrey
  • Varietal Syrah Blend
  • Designation Orion
  • Vineyard Rossi Vineyard
  • Country USA
  • Region California
  • SubRegion Napa Valley
  • Appellation St. Helena

Community Holdings

  • Pending Delivery 8 (5%)
  • In Cellars 110 (64%)
  • Consumed 53 (31%)

Food Pairing

No food pairings available.

Who Likes This Wine

100% Like It  3 votes

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