Community Tasting Note

SonomaWilliam wrote:

Sunday, January 6, 2013 - Just back from 3 days of 12 tastings in the N Rhone and happy to report Randall's $25 syrah does CA proud.
(PS - Randall - they love you over there.)

at 13.5% alcohol, Mostly/all Neutral oak (thats my guess), solid acid/pH numbers, and most importantly, great flavor profile, BDV delivers the CA syrah goods at an every day price point.

To The Eye: inky deep purple, reminiscent of Cornas, no light shall pass!
On The Nose: Smoked meat, black olive tapenade, modest black fruits.
In The Mouth: Well balanced. Dark black fruit, bacon notes, savory notes, good texture and soft tannins.

This is a rock solid syrah. BDV "Doon' Members get this at a meager $21. Thats Syrah you can enjoy on a weeknight and feel great about.
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Notes from Randall: How can you not love this man's words:
"La syrah," the French say—syrah is deeply and elementally feminine—is perfumed elegance. Enchanting and capitvating rather than overpowering, it disarms by its strangeness. Like Borge's Zahir, syrah makes an indelible impression. One will wander the world till the end of one's days, its sublime, haunting fragrance gradually displacing all thoughts and memories, including the knowledge of one's own name.

Oh those Europeans and European-styled wines! Initially very closed when you first meet them. Air (and time) lures them out of their protective cocoon. Nose of anise, raw meat, leather, plum, and wet stone. In the mouth, what is most noteworthy is the texture - sleek, almost oily. Then there is the enormously savory, umami-intensive, almost saline aspect of the wine. Palpable acidity, medium tannins and discreet fruitiness evocative of confiture of fraises de bois.

Our ’09 Syrah “Le Pousseur” is named for an alchemist and trickster, but is withal an incredibly accessible wine, great by the glass but also a felicitous partner to all manner of roasted meats, poultry, game, wild mushrooms, and well aged cheeses.

Vital Statistics
Varietal Blend: 100% syrah
Appellation: Central Coast
Vineyards: 56% Alamo Creek, 32% Bien Nacido, 12% Chequera
Alcohol by Volume: 13.5%
TA: 0.58 g/L
pH: 3.73
Serving Temp: 55-60ºF
Cellaring: 5+ years from release (May 2012)
Production: 1200 cases

ps Jason - 'wine geek notes ' looks familiar :)

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