April 4, 2023 - Definitely a drink it now. Still has some nice fruit armonas but the palete is moving to the acidic side. Still very nice now but would not hold any longer
December 22, 2017 - Thoroughly enjoyed my final bottle from this sentimental favorite (from the tasting menu at Cyrus circa 2011, while dating my now-wife).
I'd consider this fully mature, peaking, not yet on the downhill but in such a charming place now I wouldn't wait. Plenty of acidity. medium fruit, tannin entirely resolved. Aromatic, feminine, finessed wine. The fruit is round and sweet (no RS), so I'd stay in CA with my guesses, but this is a reminder that syrah is an aromatic grape in the same vein as PN. Developing a caramel note I associate with age. Just lovely.
November 20, 2017 - on the downhill, slight VA
January 30, 2017 - sentimental favorite since wife & I had it as part of the tasting menu at Cyrus circa 2011, and had wonderful follow-up experiences with the winemaker.
this is in a good place, though the fruit is fading and the acid is showing a bit stronger than i'd like (wife disagrees - thinks acid is in balance). drink them if you've got them. lovely lavender, herbs, a bit of brown-sugar sweetness, plum.
November 22, 2016 - More than slight va, but still gorgeous floral notes and stem bramble/pepper. Ample acidity and well integrated tannins.
March 22, 2016 - Leveling the Lands - Blind: Corked.
September 24, 2014 - BBQ Wines at Tim's: Beetroot, blackcurrant, chocolate and peppery spices along with an undercurrant of herbs. Softly fruited while still having some leaner character to it, the acid carries it to a good length. Still has some time as it is youthful but also it is drinking well now.
April 20, 2014 - Drinking very well now. Needs 1-3 hr decant to start singing.... Then, very aromatic and relative to other well-made CA syrahs, downright light on its feet. Lavender, violets, rosemary. Paired well with grilled pork, without competing with it.
March 29, 2014 - Slightly stingy nose hinting at tar and cassis. Lively on the palate, first glass showing bright red cherry giving way to dark black fruit, tar, cigar box and meat. Tannins still present but well integrated. Just a hint of green on the very long finish. Later glasses evolved with less cherry up front and more emphasis on the dark and meaty. Lovely.
September 2, 2013 - Tasted this with a Vallin syrah--this is more fruit forward, darker in the glass, though still with a nice vein of acidity on the finish. The Vallin runs laps around it, though, in my opinion. Just not as focused and light on its feet.